Disabilities in Palestine
Palestine has been facing atrocities for 76 years and have been displaced with no right of return. We have witnessed through citizenship journalism what it’s like to make do with very little. But what about those who are asked to leave but unable to, there are many Palestinians who live with disabilities. They will struggle with basic necessities.
According to Palestine Central Bureau of Statistics one fifth of persons with disabilities are children under the age of 18. We have witnessed internet cut off which means those who rely on social media like people with hearing impairments were unable to evacuate. Palestinians especially in Gaza rely on foreign aid but have been restricted for 70+ days.
Wars, conflict and genocide create more disabilities. We have witnessed through journalists like Moataz, Bisan, Wael and Hind on how hospitals have been targeted and harming people further. Those who have been told to evacuate on multiple occasions weren’t all able to due to disabilities including chronic illnesses. Muwa’imah Beach was the first beach in 2019 for people with disabilities in Gaza. From playing basketball in wheelchairs to enjoying sunsets, the Palestinians now have to constantly worry about daily bombing.
Image: Gaza Sunbirds credit Mohamed Soleimane
Gaza Sun Birds are a grassroots organization who help people in Palestine unite through sports. They are para athletes who cycle, provide nutrition and coaching for others impacted by the atrocities. Alaa al-Dali founder of Gaza Sun Birds in 2018 was a top pro-cyclist in Palestine. Whilst attending a peaceful Palestinian rally along the Gaza-Israel border - he was shot by an Israeli sniper in the leg leading to it being surgically removed and, what he calls, the amputation of his dream. The following year, he rewrote his personal goal of competing individually in overseas races into a collective project using sport to empower others after trauma.
Assembling 19 team mates who had sustained similar life-altering injuries from Israeli attacks, he launched the Gaza Sunbirds around the ambition of representing their country at the 2024 Paralympics.
“We want everybody to see us cycling on one leg and feel the power we have: we are not a burden to our society. We will make Palestine proud. We ride for freedom.” Alaa al-Dali, Gaza Sunbirds founder and captain
You can support Gaza Sun Birds here: https://bit.ly/GazaSunbirdsFundraiser
Image: GazaSunbirds - Credit Flavia Cappellini