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Open Heart: The Story of an Egyptian Filmmaker Diagnosed with Congenital Heart Defects

January 17, 2017

One year ago, 25-year-old Ahmed Deiab was diagnosed with congenital heart defects. Despite undergoing an open heart surgery that involved replacing the aortic valve with a mechanical one, Deiab found out months later that he has to undergo a second surgery. “Around October 2016, I found out that I have to undergo a second open heart surgery as soon as possible as my mitral valve is failing and my heart is functioning at 60 percent efficiency,” says Deiab. While Deiab received great support from his family and friends, a sudden sadness struck him several weeks ago while he was at the office where he works as an accountant. “A few weeks ago I was sitting in my office at work staring at the outside through my window, contemplating about my second operation and recalling the medical complications I experienced after my first operation,” says Deiab. “My heart began to ache, I was sick to my stomach and I was feeling depressed.” Deiab quickly snapped out of his mood and decided to film a documentary about what he has been experiencing in order to keep himself busy until the operation. Having…


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