Mustapha Atef is a seven-year-old Egyptian boy who, like his friends, loves to play – but because of a devastating disability, he can’t. Severe rheumatoid arthritis means Mustapha cannot even put his own shoes on.
If he tries, it takes him more than an hour due to his severely inflamed joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can result in deformity, disability and sometimes death. Medication for the disease can cost dhs70,000 – a sum that is too high for Mustapha’s family to afford.
Leela Alvares, a senior copy writer for an advertising agency, knows more than most about the cost of treating rheumatoid arthritis, as her sister suffered from the illness for seven years before she succumbed to it three years ago.
Now Leela, 33, wants to help raise funds for Mustapha – who lives in Sharjah - and dispel the myth that rheumatoid arthritis only affects the elderly.
The money raised will pay for treatment which will enable Mustapha to play freely – without immediate treatment he could become disabled for life.
Leela said: “I am from Bombay and have always been into trekking. I’m in love with the mountains. There is a starkness and absolute peace about them which I enjoy. This challenge started as a personal goal because my sister died of rheumatoid arthritis but now it is something bigger.
We’ve raised more than dhs60,000 for Mustapha which has exceeded our target. With my sister we thought she would get better but we didn’t understand. There was not enough information which we could access.”
Leela will be flying to Kilimanjaro on Saturday, February 9. Recently she has been doing plenty of training ahead of the seven-day trek up the highest free-standing mountain in the world, which stands at a massive 19,340 feet.
Mustapha’s doctor, Cathy Leibman, is also director of operations for Emirates Arthritis Foundation – a group whose mission is to increase awareness and education about arthritis in the Middle East, while improving the quality of life for sufferers. Dr Leibman said: “Mustapha can’t do everyday things like play in the playground.
“It’s even difficult for him to dress himself and tie his own shoe laces. He is so sweet and loves football but he cannot play as much as his friends can. At the moment he is on some great treatment and coping well but we need money to continue it.” To sponsor Leela in her challenge, visit www.arthritis.ae.
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