Paralyzed Gaza girl celebrates birthday in Jaffa

[Violet_Crumble]

Maria Amman lost five family members in IDF attack and herself is paralyzed. Birthday girl faces deportation, thanks those who came to celebrate with her

Hundreds of Jaffa residents and peace activists gathered on Wednesday to celebrate Maria Amman's seventh birthday. Maria became known when her house in the Gaza Strip was hit by an IDF projectile in May 2006. In that attack Maria lost her mother, two of her brothers, her aunt and her grandmother, and Maria herself was severely injured in the attack and is almost completely paralyzed.

The Arab Jaffa committee, along with Maria's caretakers, among them Dalia Beker, a peace activist from Jerusalem, managed to bring a bit of joy to the little girl. Balloons decorated the garden located in Jaffa's Ajami neighborhood and a band playing darbukas, a traditional small cup-shaped drum, accompanied Maria's entrance to the garden. As she entered, dozens of children from Jaffa, along with peace activists, surrounded her, showering her with gifts and bringing a smile to her face.

"I am very happy and I thank all those who came here for me. I want to thank you all for coming to my birthday," Maria said.

Maria's father, Mahadi, while holding his son Meuman, told Ynet that he was surprised by the initiative: "I wasn't expecting this. I'm more excited than Maria. I couldn't throw her or the other children a birthday in Gaza because of the situation. And here we are, celebrating her birthday, and at least in her condition she can celebrate it with her brother".

Maria's family and their continued stay in Israel is under review in Israel's High Court of Justice, as the State is looking for a way to relieve itself of any responsibility for the girl, thus paving the way for her return to Gaza. Friends of the family have said that returning Maria to Gaza would amount to a death sentence.

They explained that due to her paralysis, her movement is possible due to a special wheelchair, and Gaza's medical system can't support her special needs. Until their immigration problems are resolved the family will continue to stay at ALYN Pediatric and Adolescent Rehabilitation Center in Jerusalem.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3588823,00.html