UAE | General
Just can't wait to get up and walk around by myself, says Yousuf
After spending almost two weeks recovering from surgery to correct severe deformity in his legs, Yousuf Halahla, 13, left hospital on Thursday in high spirits.
Dubai: After spending almost two weeks recovering from surgery to correct severe deformity in his legs, Yousuf Halahla, 13, left hospital on Thursday in high spirits.
He is now well on the road to recovery after a successful eight-hour operation. The deformity had restricted his ability to run, play sports and even walk. "I am so happy to finally be able to move more, especially as the pain is now not nearly as bad," Yousuf said, as he left the International Modern Hospital in Dubai.
Like any teenage boy, Yousuf is happy to be leaving the confines of his hospital room, eager to progress to the next stage of his recovery, which could see him up and walking in three months.
Dr Marc Sinclair of the Dubai Bone and Joint Centre praised Yousuf's progress, saying that his recovery so far has been very encouraging. "We removed Yousuf's stitches yesterday and he has been taking small steps with the aid of the walker," he told Gulf News.
"He's really motivated and has a great attitude, so we are on track. He realises that this is a huge opportunity and is now just looking forward to leaving the hospital so he can start the next stage of his recovery."
Dr Sinclair indicated that it would probably be another month before the deformity is corrected and another two months before the new bone that is being formed becomes hard enough so that the frames on Yousuf's legs can be removed.
"I just can't wait for the moment I can get up and walk around by myself," Yousuf said. "I really want to see the snow here and also to go back to the beach. It was the most beautiful place I have been to in Dubai."
In the meantime he is keen on keeping up with the World Cup, naming Japan as his favourite. "Because the Japanese government built most of the schools where I come from in Palestine, including mine," he said.
Share this article
Popular in UAE

-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
The best reader pictures from around the UAE this week
Latest news
- DMA looks to infrastructure development
- Haj pilgrims from UAE get quality services
- There's something to sing and dance about in Sonapur
- Local students shine at Dubai media awards
- Charity trek to frozen heights raises Dh180,000
- Parents want pupils dropped off inside schools
- Community event to salute selfless citizens
- Time to properly deal with waste
- Focus on Guggenheim: Abu Dhabi keeps art lovers hooked
- Holidaymakers in UAE make a beeline to deserts during the cool season
- Five months later, same driver, same queue
- Metro has carried nearly 3m people
- Road work delay jams Deira
- Internet blamed for reading habit decline
- Youngsters arrested for violating decency laws
Community Reports
-
Keeping out curious cats in Abu Dhabi
Felines trapped in electrical substations create a nuisance
-
Construction site turned into dump
Sharjah residents using abandoned spot to dispose of waste
-
Stop disregarding road rules
Gulf News reader calls on authorities to curb reckless driving during rush hours in Mussafah industrial area underpass
-
Public transport is the way to go
Residents must stop complaining about feeder buses taking up parking space


