Mohamed El-Shahed/AFP/Getty Images. All rights reserved.Omar is the first street child that I have seen a photo of before he became a street boy. Someone had once said to me that all street children look like each other. Looking at the children I didn’t have a clue what this person was saying, but looking at photos of Omar before and after the street, I see that there is a look on their faces they all share – rather than physical characteristics – a stamp the street leaves on you, of all the horrors you survive.
Dr Hany, who had kindly offered to take on Omar’s case as soon as I brought it to him, has a way of dealing with petrified children. And make no mistake, the children I bring him are petrified. They are particularly scared of adults in any position of authority because in their worlds, those responsible for their well being and safety have – always – been the cause of their horrific experiences in their early years.
Omar was no different in the fear he displayed, but added to his emotional distress was a terror that the doctors would amputate his hands, and he started off reluctant to show his wounds. After an admirable display of patience and reassurance by the doctor, showing him photos of previous cases, recounting the happiness at their success, Omar opened up.
