Four years ago, a devastating tent fire in northwest Syria changed the life of Dalal, then an 18-month-old Syrian refugee, forever. The blaze, which claimed the life of her eldest sister Yasmin, left Dalal with severe burns across her body. Today, against all odds, Dalal is not only alive but thriving, demonstrating remarkable resilience and determination that continues to astound her family, doctors, and all who know her story.
When Dalal was first rushed to Mersin hospital in Turkey as a medical emergency, lead surgeon Dr. Cagatay Demirci held little hope for her survival. The extent and depth of her burns were so severe that the medical team initially believed she wouldn't make it through the night. However, Dalal's will to live proved stronger than anyone anticipated. She survived multiple complex surgeries, earning her the nickname "miracle baby" among hospital staff.
Despite the heroic efforts of the medical team, Dalal's injuries resulted in the amputation of all her fingers. Her face bears heavy scarring, affecting her eyesight and leaving her skull mostly bald. Yet, these physical challenges have not dampened Dalal's spirit. At four years old, she demonstrates remarkable independence, maneuvering pens with her stumps to write and draw, and even climbing doorframes using her arms for support.
Dalal's survival and ongoing medical care have been made possible through a combination of public generosity and dedicated organizations. A JustGiving page set up by Lisa Cavey, a British single mother moved by Dalal's story, raised tens of thousands of pounds to support the family's relocation to Turkey and ongoing medical expenses. Additionally, INARA, a charity founded by journalist Arwa Damon, has been instrumental in connecting Dalal with doctors and physiotherapists crucial for her ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.
While Dalal's physical progress has been remarkable, her family faces significant challenges in terms of societal acceptance. Her mother, Fatima, describes heartbreaking incidents where other children scream in fear upon seeing Dalal, making it difficult to enroll her in school. This lack of acceptance weighs heavily on the family, who are striving to provide Dalal with as normal a life as possible despite the circumstances.
The ongoing medical needs of Dalal present another hurdle. Doctors believe she requires multiple expensive surgeries, including the possibility of intricate toe-to-hand transplants to create fingers. However, the current economic climate in Turkey, with inflation around 70%, coupled with the global diversion of aid to other crises like the war in Gaza, has made securing funding for these procedures increasingly challenging.
Despite these obstacles, Dalal continues to push forward with remarkable determination. Her siblings describe her as both fiercely independent and deeply frustrated at times, questioning why she doesn't have fingers like other children. This blend of resilience and vulnerability paints a poignant picture of a young girl coming to terms with her unique circumstances while striving to live life to the fullest. As Dalal grows and faces new challenges, her journey serves as a powerful testament to the human spirit's
