Seventeen-year-old Bara Yousseff Hashash was deaf and dumb and her disability prevented her from going to school.

In addition, she is also one of 14 to 16 per cent of the Palestinian population who suffer from diabetes. The condition is a major threat to the health of Palestinians. Insulin is very expensive and many people can’t afford it.

When Bara turned five, her mother noticed that she’d lost around seven kilograms within a couple of weeks, although she was eating healthily. Her family took her to a hospital where she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.

She had to go on a diet and have regular follow-ups to the ophthalmologist. But when Bara was still having problems seeing, her family heard about the Diabetic Retinopathy program provided by St John Eye Hospital. This is run in partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation and the World Diabetes Fund.

Bara has since had laser therapy and her sight has been restored to the point where her mother is able to teach her at home.

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