DUBAI // Instead of playing with his cousins on the beach or in the park over the Eid holidays, Shahroz Khan can only watch this year.
Five months after a school bus ran over him in the school car park, the 14-year-old can still barely move his right foot.
Shahroz winces when he remembers the pain he suffered. The effect of the bus crushed the foot, injured a lung, dislocated his left hip and fractured his right thigh bone.
After four surgeries and two months in hospital, a deep gash is visible on his still-swollen right foot. He uses a walker for support and limps across his apartment in Sharjah.
"When I even touch the football with my foot it hurts," said Shahroz, watching his three younger brothers play cricket in a narrow corridor between apartments in his Sharjah residence.
"I had nightmares for a few weeks. Those have stopped. But at night, it pains a lot - it's as if the pain increases."
His family says the accident has changed him. Despite his brothers' cajoling to go to the cinema or dinner, he chose to stay in on his birthday two months ago. He no longer tracks the progress of his favourite football team, Real Madrid, on television.
"In my heart, I don't feel like watching football anymore," said a soft-spoken Shahroz. "I used to see every Real Madrid match. But I do want to play football again; that's still my dream."
His mother prays every day that her son will recover completely.
"I know he was pulled out from under a bus and so I thank Allah for saving his life," said an emotional Meena Sadef, lightly touching the scars still visible on her son's face.
"I pray he should become the same, just as he was when he left home that day."
The accident happened on June 21 when students were leaving the Central School in Dubai.
Shahroz had completed a maths exam and was standing with his back to the school bus along with other pupils. School authorities said the driver attempted to switch on the bus air conditioner by turning the ignition key. Instead the bus, which was in gear, lurched forward knocking down two boys.
The second child, 11-year-old Aslam Basha, suffered multiple fractures but is now able to walk without support. But Aslam's father Altaf Basha said his son had not returned to school because they fear he may get hurt again.
School authorities say the driver's services were terminated after he served two months in prison.
"What happened was an accident, it was unfortunate" said Rasul Syed Mirza Ghalib, the school principal. "We have additional staff in charge of security and transport now. We are also ready to help with [the boys'] studies and any other help needed."
The school has also offered to help tutor Shahroz to make up for the months lost. But Shahroz's parents said no tutor had yet been assigned and the family had spent Dh600 per month on a private tutor to help him cope.
While insurance will cover Shahroz's hospital bills, his father, Shahid Mohammed, looked worried as he leafed through bills totalling Dh3,000 on medicines, clinic visits, therapy and X-rays after his son was discharged.
He spent another Dh8,000 to take his son to Pakistan in search of treatment options. He also wants to take Shahroz to a doctor in southern India who comes recommended by friends and may give his son a better chance of recovery.
"We want the school to help more because this happened in the school," said Shahid Mohammed, who has worked with the Dubai Police for 29 years.
"Shahroz wanted to be a pilot. This accident spoilt his future. Finding a doctor will cost money; money we don't have, but I must do the best for my son."
rtalwar@thenational.ae
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
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Director: Tim Burton
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Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
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Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
The specs
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Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales
Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow
Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades
Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus
Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga
Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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