Abu Dhabi: As schoolgirl Loujain Hussain slowly recovers at home, a court-appointed doctor this week saw the 11-year-old as part of investigations into the school yard attack which left her seriously injured. She is suffering from damaged vision.
Her family has another worry. Loujain has not attended classes since April 19, and her parents ponder her academic future and whether she will be able to sit for the annual exam next month.
The doctor checked Loujain's general condition and the bruises she had sustained during the beating last month by a group of grade four pupils at the Al Ma'ali International Private School.
Medicated coma
The attack, which resulted in a brain haemorrhage and severe injuries, then saw her lapse into a medicated coma for more than two weeks until May 9.
Mansour Lootah, a lawyer at Pan Globe Advocates and Legal Consultancy who is handling Loujain's case, told Gulf News that the case is being investigated by prosecutors at the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court.
"There is a case against the boys who allegedly attacked Loujain under juvenile law. Once the doctor issues a medical report and the court takes Loujain's statement, prosecutors will also make a decision about how staff at the school can be held responsible for the incident," Lootah added.
In the meantime, Loujain's family is concerned about how she can resume her studies.
The Grade 7 pupil has not been to school since the incident, and her father, an Iranian expatriate based in the capital, earlier told Gulf News he was adamant that his daughter would not return to Al Ma'ali.
Mahran Hussain, 22, her brother, said they had enquired with the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) to find out if Loujain could be home-schooled, and then sit for the final exams.
"We are also not sure about what kind of materials and tutoring options we have, which is why we have contacted Adec," he said.
Aiding recovery
For now, Loujain's family are staying close to her to aid her recovery.
"Loujain's vision is not yet clear, and we have scheduled an appointment with an ophthalmologist.
"She also has another set of medical checks to ensure she is healing," Mahran said.
"Sometimes my sister remembers details about the attack, like being elbowed and kicked. At those times, she really needs people to be around her and this is what we are trying to give her," he added.
The family also plans to take a vacation once Loujain is better.
"A sociologist who saw Loujain at SKMC recommended that we take a family trip to a place she likes.
"So once my sister has recovered and we have figured out how she will continue her studies, we want to take a vacation together," Mahran said.
