AJC.com > Iraq coverage > Blog > Archives > 2005 > December > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBaby Noor arrives in Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
John Bazemore/AP
Baby Noor clings to her grandmother as they arrive in Atlanta Saturday. • MORE PHOTOS
Baby Noor, the little Iraqi girl born with a severe spinal cord defect , arrived in Atlanta Saturday afternoon and moved a big step toward the medical care she needs to survive.
The baby’s grandmother cradled Noor in her arms as she stepped off an escalator and walked in the terminal of Hartsfield-Jackson International about 4:10 p.m.
The grandmother and Noor’s father walked past a bank of television cameras and met a metro Atlanta family that has agreed to house them for up to several months. The host family, who asked not to be named, gave the baby’s grandmother a fruit basket.
The father climbed into an SUV that quickly sped away. The grandmother accompanied the baby in an ambulance bound for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where doctors planned an examination Saturday. Surgery could come within the next week or so.
The doctor who will perform surgery on Baby Noor — born with spina bifida — praised American troops, members of the 48th Brigade BCT, who found her.
“These are good guys and they went out of their way to make this happen,” said Dr. Roger Hudgins of Children’s Healthcare shortly before the plane arrived Saturday.
Members of the Gainesville-based Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment found the baby during a search of the family home in the slums of Abu Ghraib, just west of Baghdad.
“It’s an honor for us to be able to do this [surgery],” Hudgins told a gaggle of reporters and seven TV news cameramen at the airport.
Earlier Saturday, high above the clouds, Delta Air Lines Captain David Damare had something to tell the passengers on Flight 15 from Frankfurt to Atlanta.
All of Delta’s customers were special, he said. But Saturday there was a particularly special person on board. Her name was Noor al-Zahra.
She was three months old and traveling from her native Iraq all the way to Atlanta to receive surgery to correct a life-threatening problem in her spinal cord.
Noor left Baghdad on Friday with her father, Haider, and grandmother, Soad, for the long journey to America.
Cradled in Haider’s arms, Noor took off into clear blue skies in a C-130 military transport plane from Baghdad’s airport after soldiers of Gainesville-based Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment bade her farewell at their headquarters at Camp Liberty.
“We are very excited about this trip,” said Soad. “We are thankful to the people of Georgia.”
However, once the reached Kuwait, they discovered that the KLM flight that was to take them to Amsterdam was canceled. U.S. Embassy officials rerouted the family on a Lufthansa flight through Frankfurt but because they are Iraqi citizens, they needed transit visas for Germany.
Early Saturday morning, U.S. officials were able to contact the German Embassy in Washington to issue clearance for the family to land in Frankfurt. In Frankfurt, the three boarded Delta Flight 15.
The family was put in business class. Noor was given a bassinette in which to sleep. Flight attendant Suzanne King gave Noor a teddy bear.
Born three months ago with Spina Bifida, Noor has a large growth on her back where her spinal cord did not properly close. She requires immediate surgery to correct the problem.
Iraqi doctors told the family they could do nothing for the baby and that she did not have long to survive. Charlie Company soldiers found the baby during a search of the family home in the slums of Abu Ghraib, just west of Baghdad.
They were determined to help save the life of the frail child.
“Just knowing she’s going to get a chance in life she will never get here gives you a warm feeling,” said Staff Sgt. David Squires, who works for a hearing aid company in Gainesville. “The children of Iraq are the country’s future.”
Services »
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Gram
December 31, 2005 12:38 PM | Link to this
With all the bad press the war has gotten lately, it’s nice to hear that something positive is coming out of it. I pray that this little girl will have a chance at a normal life, thanks to the U.S. soldiers and hospitals. Best wishes to Noor!
By Robby
December 31, 2005 12:50 PM | Link to this
I want to hear more about this kind of thing that happens in Iraq with the US there right now. This often gets overshadowed by the saddening deaths in Iraq. It’ll be great to hear more of this type of story, and to show a brighter side of the US invasion/occupation of Iraq. Thanks to all of you men and women overseas right now doing this hard work. You’re showing the best of America to the rest of the world with this type of thing and your dedication to your duties.
By debby
December 31, 2005 01:30 PM | Link to this
What a wonderful story,and i hope that noor will be ok my family and i will be praying for her and her family. WAY TO GO 48TH WE ARE SO PROUD OF U.
By Rickey
December 31, 2005 04:40 PM | Link to this
It’s happening also with Tennessee’s reservists, the 278th Regimental Combat team. A 7 year old girl arrived yesterday to have surgery that can’t be performed in Iraq. The girl was born with a hole in her side and has to carry a colostomy bag by her side.
It took much longer, 8 months since her father first approached the reservists doctor about getting help. The Tennesseans were impressed that he had risked his life to help his little girl and they set out to do something about.
God Bless Baby Noor and 7 year old Hajir Yousif.
*Y’all can keep up with Hajir Yousif in virtually any of the Tennessee papers.
By Bill Faith
December 31, 2005 06:42 PM | Link to this
Just one more reason for the world to hate us, I guess. Thank you for the great coverage of a beautiful story.
By JR
December 31, 2005 07:50 PM | Link to this
There is no doubt that “Georgia” will be on our minds!
By B. Massey
January 3, 2006 12:05 AM | Link to this
We have a son who is almost 2 that was born with spina bifida and are glad to hear about other children in the world getting the treatment that they need. It also benefits all children who have been born with this condition to have it brought to public awareness through this story. Children with spina bifia live full and happy lives in spite of the obstacles they face. Blessings to sweet little Baby Noor! She is beautiful!
By Anita
January 4, 2006 08:48 AM | Link to this
God give all the men and women who helped this baby joy. For they have bestowed it upon an infant and her family of their own free will. I stumble across this page and, even though I’m only 13 I just wanted to give my thanks and highest praise to the bold few who helped the Noor baby.
By Brandy
January 4, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this
Baby Noor Is In My Prayers. I Hope All Goes Well With Her Surgery!