Thieves steal walker from 'boy with no face'
A callous theft could set back the recovery of a remarkable disabled boy, brought to Australia for life changing surgery.
Yahya El Jabaly was born in Morocco without eyes, a nose or functioning mouth but came to Australia last year for major reconstructive surgery.
He was recovering well but his progress has been dealt a set back by thieves who stole a customised walker from a church storeroom at the end of April.
The Port Phillip Leader reports the boy’s carers believe the walker, which had been instrumental to building Yahya’s strength and confidence, was taken from the Christ Church Community Centre’s storeroom.
Fatima Baraka, a Moroccan-born Melbourne woman who helped bring Yahya to Australia for his surgeries, said she was shocked by the theft.
“It’s a really senseless act and to take place in a church is quite disturbing.”
“It’s like taking an old person’s wheelchair.”
Ms Baraka, who is now acting as Yahya’s carer, said the walker would cost about $1100 to replace; a sum that would prove difficult to raise because Yahya was essentially subsisting on donations.
The young boy’s journey from Morocco to Australia was documented by Seven’s Sunday Night program last year.
He has been receiving potentially life changing surgery from Dr Tony Holmes after Ms Baraka discovered his plight and put him in touch with the high profile Australian surgeon.
Yahya was reportedly making good progress and had taken well to his walker, which was helping him find his feet for the first time in his life.
Anyone with information on the walker can contact police or Ms Baraka on 0414 242 625 and fatimabaraka@gmail.com.
