Meet Riyadh

Suaad patiently sits with her son, Riyadh, as they wait to be seen at the Orthopedic Clinic. The clinic only starts around midday, but seats are taken well before then. Riyadh gives up his seat for another little patient. Riyadh is a gentle and kind 11-year-old.

His mom shares how this little boy ended up with his arm in a cast.

“He fell while playing soccer; his arm hit the ground. That’s how he broke his arm”.

That was three weeks ago. Riyadh and his friends were playing football just outside his home. Suaad laughs at herself and shakes her head; it seems silly to her now that the first thought that crossed her mind was that exams were coming up, and she hoped he hadn’t broken his dominant arm. She takes a breath, then confesses that she usually becomes distraught when her child is hurt. But this time, Suaad didn’t panic. She mustered the courage to stay calm. Suaad quickly arranged transport to their nearest day hospital.

Little did she know how important it would be for her son to have a calm and courageous mom by his side. It was a complicated break. The medical staff at the day hospital made two attempts to set the bone. Neither was successful.

As hard as it is to see your child in pain, Suaad remained stoic and calm. Every mother wants to take her baby’s hurt away. But when the pain is a part of the healing process, there is nothing we can do other than to keep looking into our baby’s eyes. As parents, we become their beacon and their buoy. It’s our voice that reminds them that the storms will pass. It’s our voice that they hear through their cries, our eyes that they see through their tears.

The fall was bad enough, but two failed attempts to reset the bone would require both mother and child to be resilient – be each other’s anchor.

As soon as they realised that Riyadh needed specialist care, the team at the day hospital arranged his transfer to Red Cross Children’s Hospital.

They were admitted to the Emergency Centre at the Children’s Hospital within hours of his fall, and Suaad knew they were at the right place!

Three weeks later, Suaad and Riyadh are waiting to attend a check-up at the Orthopedic Clinic. They hope the bone has healed enough for the cast to come off. Suaad knows there may be a few more tears, and she is nervous about it. Riyadh has been very brave, just like his mama.

The room is crammed, and the hum of conversation has become boisterous. Sister Johnson bellows a greeting, and the crowd quietens. They listen intently as she runs through the mechanics of the clinic. She reminds families that it will be a wait, and everyone will be seen. It is no small comfort for these parents. Some nod, and others smile. They’ve taken off work to be with their children; some have travelled a long way.

Sister Johnson asks if anyone has any questions. She gives them a moment. She assures them they can come and talk to her at any time. The compassion in her voice is a beautiful reminder to parents like Suaad that everything will be better. You see, it’s not just the children who need to hear this.

Today Suaad will be brave so that her son can be brave. It helps to know that angels are walking with her. Sister Johnson moves in and out of the seated crowd, making sure that everyone knows they will be seen. There are no invisible people here. She smiles knowingly at the brave dads stepping in while the mom’s work. She lets them know they’re at the right place.