“You know how children hit me now? When I start growing up, I can defend myself.”
Omar and his sister Majid were born in Syria with a growth-hormone deficiency—the result of a dysfunctional pituitary gland. Neither can grow without continuous hormone and vitamin treatment, which was available for free back home in Syria. However, since the family fled and became refugees in Lebanon in early 2013, they haven’t been able to afford the treatment, and neither have NGOs and aid organizations.
“I need treatment, so I can become tall, become a man, and get married.”
The family’s resettlement in Finland comes not a moment too soon.