UK & World News
- 4 February 2013, 22:25
Malala: Schoolgirl Shot By Taliban Speaks Out
The Pakistani schoolgirl shot in the head by the Taliban has spoken out about her recovery for the first time since she was nearly killed.
Malala Yousufzai, 15, underwent successful surgery to reconstruct her skull and restore her hearing at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham at the weekend.
She escaped death by a matter of inches when she was shot on a school bus in northwestern Pakistan on October 9 last year - as the bullet entered just above her left eye and ran along her jaw, "grazing" her brain.
The Islamist gunmen said they targeted her because she promoted girls' education and "Western thinking".
In a message recorded by the hospital on Sunday, Malala said she was "feeling alright" and "happy that both the operations were successful".
She said: "I can also walk a little bit, I can talk and I'm feeling better."
Despite having five hours of surgery, Malala added: "It does not feel like I had a very big operation."
Her doctors have expressed their delight at her recovery. They hope that the latest procedures - to put a titanium plate on her damaged skull and to fit a cochlear implant - will be the last surgery she needs.
Neurosurgeon Anwen White said that her "brain is healing very well" and she did not expect any long lasting cognitive problems.
She said the teenager would continue with rehabilitation and then "hopefully be discharged home fairly soon".
University Hospitals Birmingham medical director Dave Rosser said Malala was "doing very well".
He added that just a day after the operations Malala was "already talking about resuming her work and furthering her cause for women's education".
"Most of us would be feeling sorry for ourselves 24 hours after an operation like that, not talking about helping other people."
In another video interview, filmed before her surgery on January 22 but only just published, Malala is heard saying that she was "getting better, day by day".
Speaking clearly but with a slight stiffness in her upper lip, she said: "Today you can see that I am alive. I can speak, I can see you, I can see everyone.
"It's just because of the prayers of people. Because all people - men, women, children - all of them have prayed for me. And because of all these prayers God has given me this new life, a second life.
"And I want to serve. I want to serve the people. I want every girl, every child, to be educated. For that reason, we have organised the Malala Fund."
Malala was airlifted to Britain from Pakistan in October to receive specialist medical care and protection against further Taliban threats.
She is expected to remain in the UK for some time as her father, Ziauddin, has received a diplomatic post based in Birmingham.
The Malala Fund is a girls' education charity set up in late 2012. It launched with a $10m (£6.4m) donation from Pakistan.
what do you think?
stevie may
Malala has more courage, bravery and sincerety than all the Taliban put together. Brave little lady. By her nobility she has shown the Jihadists to be the cowards and murderers they are
blue side
stevie it is her bravery that makes her a threat
Louisa Gieldon
She is noble, thats for sure!.
shaun spencer
This little girl symbolizes everything this war with the taliban is about.a twisted outdated religion of evil men against a little girl who simply wanted an education.and i am very pleased britain has been able to help her and her family.
Steve Marshall
This brave young girl has bigger b***s than most of the blokes over there.
Neil C
True spirit :o)
ali baba
thanks for all the nice comments, its a breath of fresh air to see such kind and gentle British people, which deep down i know the majority are. you are a special race, and i mean that very kind and charitable
mick_salt
There you go, Ali, I've given you a thumbs up - perhaps the first you've ever received, but I hope not the last. I echo the sentiments of the other posters.
movvi
Well, I've thumbs-upped the pair of you! It's nice to find a bit of peace here for a change!
blue side
This girl is an inspiration not just for the Muslim world but for all of us who believe in something
Louisa Gieldon
So glad she's come through ok. You go Malala- fantastic!
Adrian Wagstaff
I think her words are probably very reassuring for anyone having a titanium skull implant. I didn't think she'd be so well this soon afterwards. I think, whatever your political views are, if any Talibans have experienced similar bullet wounds which damaged their skulls, I'd like to think everyone wishes them the same wellness. They're only doing what they're told and what they all believe is right, just like Malala. Obviously, a lot of Western soldiers have also had skull damages in Afghanistan and Iraq and I hope they all get better.
mick_salt
It's a good point, Adrian
Adrian Wagstaff
I feel as sad for all the German soldiers who died during World War Two and all the soldiers in previous wars as for anyone who ever died under such circumstances. I've always expressed such beliefs online and whether it was Japanese, Chinese, Russian or German or whoever soldiers, lots of them all died very bravely under terrible circumstances. As they say, a lot of them were really only doing what they were told to do. Obviously, you are suggesting all Second World War soldiers were either on the good side or the bad side, which doesn't appear to be the case, in reality. I respect the Taliban injuries, as much as American or British soldiers and everyone elses'. You'd have to have experienced a head injury to understand why, which evidently you haven't. It's equally bad, I think, for a Taliban soldier forced to fight and having his skull hit by a bullet, is all I'm saying, quite reasonably. What is the point of hating them? I feel as sad for that Malala as for anyone else shot in the head.
Louisa Gieldon
Adrian, well said. We need to remember that many young men all over the globe are conscripted into wars they do not believe in. The meglomaniacs at the top use them as cannon fodder and we all hate each other as a result
romsey1891
Well said, Louisa.I may not agree with everything you say,although probably 80% in your favour . You have hit the nail on the head.
ali baba
Here here Adrian We are pawns in this game.
blue side
We could stop war if the leaders and promotors of conflict were made to go out and lead the troops
stevie may
Adrian - your comment wishing the Taliban 'wellness' is sickening. By logic, following your twisted view, we should feel sorry for the SS guards who were killed by those prisoners who escaped from Sorbibor death camp. Wonder if you'd feel the same if you were a prisoner of the Taliban? Child killers and women haters deserve the same pity they dish out to their victims.
mick_salt
I can understand your anger, Stevie, but it's worth remembering that your mindset, your moral values and your religious standpoint are mostly just accidents of where you were born and the environment in which you were raised. For example, if you had been born and raised on the wrong side of Springmartin Road in Belfast, you would almost certainly have grown in to either a provisional IRA member or staunch sympathiser.
saalam khamboshi
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy 96:1 Read! In the name of your Lord who created: 96:2 Created mankind from a clinging form! When the Holy Quran stresses people to read, I don't understand why in the world these beasts are killing people?! It's barbaric & ruthless to kill just because they want education!
blue side
This is not about religion its about power promoted by those able to manipulate the words written or as was the case supposedly with Christianity to remove or re-write that which did not fit (per Dead Sea Scrolls)
Louisa Gieldon
The quest for power and control - pure and simple
saalam khamboshi
Religion has got a part to play in that part of the world, blue. These people follow an ideology which is a concoction of their medieval culture & they have sought refuge in religion for it has answered questions which their culture couldn't...even though they pay lip service to the religion however their actions are contrary to the religion whose cause they espouse! I only wish if they had ready the scriptures more closely and they would have understood the value of human life or for that matter any life!
Paul Wheatley
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
blue side
Sorry but I think your comment is unfounded
Louisa Gieldon
I'll gladly go further than that blue. Paul your comment is disgraceful. Anyway the costs of this girl's medical care is being paid for by her government and by charitable donations.
movvi
I think Malala already seems very well balanced and educated. A thoroughly good egg who's bound to end up a viable and valuable asset here and ambassador for the girls back in Pakistan.
Louisa Gieldon
I love all the good egg and bad egg stuff Movvi. Don't stop using those phrases please. I've actually been using it myself a bit recently and it makes everyone smile
Louisa Gieldon
And she is indeed, a very good egg!
Lorgar Aurelian
If only the men were as brave as she. Shame on them.
andrew
A very brave young lady! Hope she makes a full recovery and encourages others to seek education.
Mary Silvestre
1:53pm on 4/2/2013
Education is the best defence against terrorism. This young woman has demonstrated great wisdom and great courage.
Byron Eckhardt
3:29pm on 4/2/2013
Depends who's doing the educating.
blue side
8:56pm on 4/2/2013
Mary I agree however within her environment that makes her an ongoing target and whilst Byron may have got thumbs down in a wider sense what he says should be thought about. This young lady however is a star