While picking figs near her home in rural Taiz, Yemen, 12-year-old Hadeel was struck by a shell fired by Houthi forces. She survived, but the explosion cost her both hands — and changed her life forever.
The figs she had hoped to enjoy were stained with her blood, as the explosion left her with devastating injuries, resulting in the amputation of both her hands. She awoke the following day in the intensive care unit of a hospital in the city of Taiz, only then realizing the enormity of her loss.
Hadeel’s survival was nothing short of miraculous. Her injury had caused massive blood loss, and her village of Al-Kadaha—a remote area lacking adequate healthcare facilities—offered little hope for treating such critical wounds.
The attack occurred during a period of intense fighting in July 2017 between government forces and the Houthis, battles that claimed many lives and left countless others injured. In March 2021, government forces finally regained control of Al-Kadaha, located in Al-Ma’afer District, west of Taiz.
At just 12 years old, Hadeel’s world was turned upside down. Struggling with the enormity of her loss, she often asked herself and her relatives, “What will become of me? How will I eat? How will I write? How will I ever hold a pen again?”
Fortunately, her mother and maternal uncles became her unwavering source of strength, offering comfort and support during her darkest moments. This stood in sharp contrast to the absence of her father, who had been out of her life since she was five due to family disputes, as Hadeel recounted to Yemen Platform.
The war in Yemen has devastated countless lives, shattered families, and left 80% of the population mired in poverty. For Hadeel, the aftermath of her injury brought its own harsh challenges.
Now 20 years old, Hadeel recalls the difficult years following her trauma. Despite the community’s efforts to support her, she endured painful questions from children: “Where are your hands, Hadeel? Who feeds you? Who gives you water?” But the cruelest words came when someone said, “Death would be better than living like this.”
Refusing to give in to despair, Hadeel found her salvation in education. Determined to overcome her circumstances, she poured herself into her studies, emerging triumphant in 2023 with an exceptional high school score of 95.50%.
"It was an indescribable feeling... an overwhelming joy like no other... the joy of a lifetime," Hadeel recalls, reflecting on the moment she received her results.
Her success in high school became a turning point, giving her the strength and motivation to pursue a brighter future.
In 2024, Hadeel took the next step in her journey by enrolling in the media department at Taiz University, one of Yemen’s largest and most prestigious institutions.
Hadeel shares, “I chose to specialize in media with complete conviction. My dream is to become a prominent media professional who highlights the critical issues affecting Yemeni girls, especially those with disabilities who are in desperate need of support.”
Despite the hardships she has faced, Hadeel remains a symbol of hope, always wearing a bright smile and radiating optimism—a quality her peers deeply admire.
Hadeel is among the thousands of Yemenis who have lost limbs due to the ongoing war. In early 2022, the International Committee of the Red Cross reported that around 150,000 people in Yemen were in need of prosthetic limbs because of the devastating impact of the conflict.
Reflecting on her future aspirations, Hadeel says, “One of my dreams is to have my own project that enables me to be self-reliant, and to work in a way that ensures I am never a burden on others.”
She also offers a powerful message to people with disabilities in Yemen: “You must be strong. Face every challenge with love, passion, determination, and persistence.”
She continues, “No matter the type of disability, with determination, you can achieve the impossible. Disability is only a limitation of the mind.”
In closing, Hadeel shares a message of hope for all Yemenis: “Despite the hardships and challenges, hope remains. Our people are still fighting for a better future, fighting for their livelihoods, safety, and well-being. I am hopeful that the war will end, that prices will fall, and that education will thrive, bringing peace and prosperity to our nation.”
