About Me & My Case.

I am the father of these two beautiful boys Saif (aged 10) and Arad (aged 7). We were not rich but were still a happy, content family when, in 2013, I (with my wife and boys) came to the UK for higher education. Life was smooth and happy until 2014 when Saif was diagnosed with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy (DMD, a life limiting, progressive neuro-muscular disease) in the UK. My wife and I were reeling from this when, just 3 months after Saif’s diagnosis, Arad too was given the same diagnosis. We thought our lives were over. All our dreams were taken away from us and it felt like the end of our world.

Vulnerable Situation

DMD is a fatal disease that deteriorates muscles starting from the legs, pelvic and shoulders, eventually attacking the lungs and heart. Unfortunately there is no cure for this disease yet. A good multidisciplinary care plan can, however, increase the life expectancy.

In the UK, medical professionals specialising in this disease work in a multi-professional team and in addition to medication, they provide guidance and support which cater to the increasing severity of the disease. This multidisciplinary approach is not even known in my home country of Pakistan. Children with this condition do die at a young age, often in their teens.

Despite their physical disabilities, both Saif and Arad are brilliant and very intelligent boys. They are among the top students in school, where they have been getting support for their disability. They enjoy going to school, swimming and shopping. They love visiting parks and gardens. Unfortunately the infrastructure of Pakistan, on the contrary, does not provide even the smallest flexibility to accommodate disabilities – public places and social facilities in Pakistan are not disabled-friendly.

I contacted many schools in Pakistan just in case we would have to return to Pakistan but I could not even find a single school with wheelchair access facilities. The special education schools are mainly for the blind, deaf and speech-impaired children and are already filled to their full capacity. Therefore, if returned to Pakistan, my children will have no future of going to school or having any social life.

 Saif and Arad are already in a devastating health condition and, if removed from the UK, they will be ruined emotionally, morally, physically, medically, educationally and socially. They would be demotivated and may lose their will to live and enjoy life. They will be isolated and stigmatised. Their condition, exacerbated by the lack of appropriate medical facilities, might further reduce their life expectancy. They are a disabled minority but their human rights, including their right to equality and right to education should not be violated. They were diagnosed in the UK and I cannot imagine taking them back to Pakistan on wheelchairs where they are unable to receive treatment or a full life.

Our Legal Case

When my study visa expired in 2015, I started struggling to extend my stay in the UK just to save the little lives of my children.

I have been fighting this case based on my children’s human rights including their right to life, right to education and right against discrimination since 2015. One of the two judgements in this legal battle was in my favour. Now I have to go to the Court of Appeal because the Home Office challenged the First Tier Tribunal Judge who decided for us.

Wining this case will help increase the quality of life of my children by giving them good education, reliable medical facilities, social life opportunities and community support.

How much we are raising and what it is for?

Our lawyers have estimated that our legal fees for taking our case to the court of appeal may amount to £3,500 but we may also have to further pay Home Office’s costs if we lose the case. We would be very grateful to raise £5,000 contribution towards our costs. This fee will be used for court fees and drafting the necessary papers. It is vital that the appeal is properly prepared because the refusal will be the end of my children’s hope and there will be nothing more we can do for the children.

Please help and donate towards my case!