Ten is an age for scraped knees from football matches and running until your lungs burn. It isn’t an age meant for wheelchairs, catheters, and the silent, heavy reality of paralysis.
But for Amjad Shurrab, the running stopped in December 2024. A severe injury to his spine—specifically the 7th vertebra—didn’t just break his back; it severed his connection to the world from the chest down. In an instant, a vibrant boy was grounded, leaving his family to pick up the pieces of a life that changed in a heartbeat.
The “Bloom of Youth” is Fading
When you watch the video of Amjad, you see a child who is remarkably brave, but his father’s voice tells the real story. He talks about the “bloom of his youth” being cut short, and the weight of that loss is visible in every frame.
Because Amjad has no sensation in the lower half of his body, he is fighting a battle against his own skin. Deep, painful pressure sores—essentially ulcers that eat into the flesh—have formed on his back, his seat, and his sides. He can’t feel them, but they are poisoning his system.
“I die every single day I see him like this,” his father says. It’s a gut-wrenching admission. There is no dignity in the nappies and the permanent catheters, only the grueling, daily struggle to keep a young boy clean, dry, and alive in a place where medical supplies are a luxury.
Five Days of Fever
The most heartbreaking part of Amjad’s week isn’t the wheelchair; it’s the infection cycle. For five out of every seven days, Amjad is wiped out. His white blood cell count spikes, his body shakes with chills, and high fevers leave him unable to eat or drink.
He spends most of his life simply trying to survive the week. On the two days when the fever breaks, you see a glimpse of the real Amjad—the boy who wants to play, who wants to learn, and who wants to live. But without specialist intervention, those “good days” are becoming fewer and farther between.
Why We Are Stepping In
At Watan USA, we see the human beings behind the statistics. Amjad isn’t just a “case study”; he’s a son, a brother, and a ten-year-old boy who has been dealt an impossible hand.
The medical reality is simple: Amjad cannot get the care he needs where he is. He needs a medical transfer for specialist spinal surgery and intensive rehabilitation. His family is currently paying for every bandage and every dose of medicine out of their own pockets, but they are at a breaking point.
We are striving to close this financial gap. We want to get Amjad to a facility that can treat his spinal injury and, more importantly, stop the infections that are slowly draining his life away.
He Can’t Wait Much Longer
Amjad’s father has made a desperate plea to the world. He isn’t asking for a luxury; he’s asking for his son to have a chance at a life without constant agony.
Your support for Watan USA goes directly to the front lines of cases like this. It funds the medical evacuations, the sterile supplies, and the surgeries that local hospitals simply can’t perform.
Donate to Watan USA today and help us answer a father’s prayer. Let’s get Amjad the help he deserves.
Common Questions & How You Can Help
Could you please explain how my donation is utilized for medical cases?
When you donate to our medical fund, the money is used for the “heavy lifting” of healthcare: specialized surgeries, hospital stays, and the logistics of moving a patient like Amjad to a facility that can actually treat spinal cord injuries.
Is Watan USA a registered charity?
Yes, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. This means your donations are tax-deductible in the US, and we provide full transparency on how funds are distributed to help families in crisis.
What happens if the medical transfer takes time?
While we work on the logistics of a transfer, your donations provide immediate relief—buying the high-grade antibiotics, sterile dressings, and nutritional support Amjad needs to survive his weekly bouts of infection.
Can I set up a monthly gift?
Yes. Monthly giving is actually the best way to help. It allows us to commit to long-term cases like Amjad’s, knowing the funds will be there for his rehabilitation and follow-up care for months to come.