Abdul Hai Jafari, 61, lives in Qala-e Jafar village in Yakawlang District, Bamyan Province. He is a farmer and the head of a seven-member household.
For several years, he suffered from severe lower back pain that radiated down to his legs. The pain significantly affected his mobility and made it increasingly difficult for him to manage his daily responsibilities.
“I could not walk, stand or sit comfortably, and even resting was difficult,” he said.
Rehabilitation changed Abdul's life
An HI physiotherapist identified Abdul and assessed him at home. He first received guidance on safe movements, correct posture and injury prevention, and was later referred to Bamyan Provincial Central Hospital. HI also supported him with transport so that he could access care.
HI’s rehabilitation programme at the centre focused on reducing his pain, improving his mobility and functional capacity, and helping him regain greater independence in his daily activities. After a few weeks, Abdul began to notice a gradual improvement.
He was encouraged to continue the prescribed exercises at home and to increase his daily activities gradually, in a safe and appropriate manner.
Abdul can now walk, stand and sit with less pain and fewer limitations than before he received HI’s services. Sitting, which was once difficult because of the pain, has become more manageable, and he can move around with greater ease.
He is also able to resume many of his daily activities, both as a farmer and at home, with greater ease.
CDCS Project – Strengthening Inclusive and Gender-Sensitive Disaster Risk Reduction in Bamyan and Emergency Response in Afghanistan. Thanks to CDCS for supporting this project. It provides combined livelihood assistance with individualised measures, including physiotherapy, to address the difficulties that people with disabilities face in participating in their daily activities.
