Rami is a professional photographer who met his wife six years ago in a wedding. It was love from first sight and many of their friends described their love story as a “romantic movie.” It didn’t take long for the young couple to become parents for two wonderful twins, a boy and a girl.
Unfortunately, however, soon after she was born the twin baby girl was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, motor disability disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. It was very difficult on the couple to cope with the situation, “having twins is hard and challenging, but now we have twins and a medical situation which needs constant intervention and care,” says Rami. A year later Rami’s wife decided she is unable to cope with the situation and left him with the two children. Since then, Rami needs to stay at home and take care on his little girl and boy who are five years old.
“I depend on wedding photography for a living; before COVID-19 I had some occasional work, along with the governmental aid for my infant girl as income, it would be enough to put some food on the table and help pay for her treatment,” Rami explains. Like many others, Rami was left helpless and struggled with living expenses during COVID-19. For the past 18 months the number of events he photographed could be counted on one hand, and the only income came from the governmental aid which was enough for the treatment of his little girl.
Now that people are allowed to gather and more weddings are taking place, Rami is able to breath more lightly, “I have a good neighbor, she comes to babysit my children while I go to an event,” Rami adds, “it’s not easy to find a baby sitter who is willing to cope with my sweet daughter, I understand it’s a big responsibility. Still, even with a few events each month, it is very difficult.”
Rami arrived to House of Grace after being desperate and had no money to buy food for his two children. Rami received private counselling, food kit and cloth. “I could talk about it,” Rami concludes, “thank you for your support.”
Original Photo by ILENE PERLMAN - ileneperlman.com
