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DEL.ICIO.USNoor, days from surgery, otherwise developmentally normal
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Iraqi baby in Atlanta for life-saving medical care has weakness or paralysis in her legs but is otherwise developmentally normal, doctors determined Monday.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta said 3-month-old Noor al-Zahra is “smiling, interactive and playful” and is “eating well and gaining weight.” The hospital is assembling a team to perform free surgery tentatively scheduled for Monday.
Baby Noor’s father and grandmother have spent hours by her side at the hospital since the three arrived Saturday afternoon.
“They just continually say how grateful they are for this opportunity, that it’s a dream come true,â€? said Helen Shepard, development director for Childspring International, a Christian nonprofit that brings children to the United States for treatment. “There’s a lot of laughter going on, tears of joy.”
Soldiers from the Georgia-based 48th Brigade Combat Team in Iraq found Baby Noor, as she has come to be known, on a raid last month. The infant had a growth on her back — skin covering an opening where her spine has not fully formed. Doctors later determined she suffers from a severe form of spina bifida. Lt. Jeff Morgan of Douglas County asked a friend in metro Atlanta, Debbie Stone, if she could arrange medical care for Noor.
Childspring agreed to help bring Noor here, the U.S. military and Delta Air Lines flew the family for free and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta agreed to treat her.
Noor’s father, Haider, and grandmother, Soad, shuttle between the hospital and the home of a host family in Atlanta. They have phoned the baby’s 18-year-old mother, in the Abu Ghraib neighborhood just west of Baghdad, to keep her informed.
“She misses her baby terribly,” Shepard said. “She has a million questions.”
Doctors provided a few answers Monday.
Dr. Roger Hudgins, lead nureosurgeon at Children’s Healthcare, found that a mass on Noor’s back was not leaking fluid, which means her chances are low of contracting meningitis, said Kevin McClelland, a hospital spokesman. The doctor found “weakness or paralysis in the lower extremities, which will likely impair her ability to walk.” But he believes the baby will otherwise develop normally.
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By Ray B
January 3, 2006 01:17 AM | Link to this
God Bless everyone involved in this wondeful act of caring. I will be praying for baby Noor, her family, and the surgeons.
By Verna M. Black
January 3, 2006 05:36 AM | Link to this
Thank goodness we, (the troups who found the baby) and us, the citizens of The United States of America are doing something “right” according to the laws of humanity. I am a citizen of Dekalb County. I am a bit tired of reading about crime, children who are underfed and suffering inequality of education. This kindness of helping the family of “Baby Noor” and treating her illness appropriately should be recognized and acknowledged. I commend all who were involved in bringing this family to Atlanta. Hopefully, the baby will have a proper recovery and perhaps will be allowed to remain in Atlanta to grow and prosper. (Maybe we can bring her mother here also)
By MEB
January 3, 2006 07:35 AM | Link to this
I think this is great news. Especially at a time when people have such a negative view of the U.S. and the work that they are doing over in Iraq. Too much negative stuff gets reported and not enough positive. This is heart warming and looking at that little baby, how could you not want to help her (or any other child that is in need for that matter). Thanks to ALL of the people who are making this happen.
By Zinte
January 3, 2006 07:52 AM | Link to this
Frankly, charity starts at home. This is an overblown story that no one but the media seems to care about. It would be nice if American children who had this rare disease were treated with this kind of zeal that baby Noor seems to be getting. I mean really; updates about the every move of an IRAQI BABY? Let’s take take care of our OWN kids and stop using this as some kind of publicity play. ENOUGH ALREADY!!
By Marilyn Carter
January 3, 2006 08:11 AM | Link to this
Seeing baby Noor and the soldiers that cared enough to help she and her family makes the cost of war less painful. I commend the soldiers for their compassion in the face of dangers and personal sacrifice. So many innocent people in Iraq are losing their lives and homes because their own people don’t care enough to disagree without the violence.
By gjblack
January 3, 2006 08:32 AM | Link to this
May God bless Baby Noor and guide the doctors hands as they perform surgery. We are all praying for everybody involved. Also blessings and thanks to the soldiers responsible for this act of kindness. We are still praying for all our men and women in the military too.
By Syble
January 3, 2006 09:26 AM | Link to this
THANK YOU AJC, THIS IS A WONDERFUL STORY OF THE PASSION OF OUR SOLDIERS AND OUR COUNTRY. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO READ ABOUT BABY GEORGIA’S PROGRESS. I AM A NURSE WHO USED TO LIVE IN ATLANTA BUT NOW LIVE IN ALABAMA. I LOVE KEEPING UP WITH WHAT IS GOING ON IN GEORGIA AND YOUR EMAIL NEWS DOES THAT FOR ME. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A NEED FOR CONTRIBUTIONS FOR NOOR’S FAMILY OR BABY GEORGIA. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS FAMILYS NEEDS. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY AND BABY GEORGIA FOR FULL RECOVERY. AMERICA IS A WONDERFUL COUNTRY TO LIVE AND KNOW THAT PEOPLES HEARTS GO OUT TO THOSE IN NEED. THERE IS SO MUCH HURT IN THE WORLD TODAY AND WE NEED TO HEAR MORE ABOUT OUR COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE DOING WONDERFUL THINGS LIKE THIS AND HELPING OTHERS WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE THAT WE ARE. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR POSTING THIS WONDERFUL STORY. SYBLE C.
By Heather Dunn
January 3, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this
Baby Noor could not be in better hands. This man saved my baby’s life. Dr. Roger Hudgins removed my sons complete left brain when he was 10 months old. He is an amazing surgeon and Baby Noor is in Angels Care!
By MEB
January 3, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this
Zinte -
That saying “Charity begins at home” sounds nice and all, but I would think that no one life is more valuable than another. We can look at it and say “she’s from Iraq and we have kids here suffering” or we can say “borders or no borders, this child needs help and do something about it.”
I to the contrary, I do not think this is “Enough Already”. We need more stories like this about the goodness of humanity instead of the cold-hearted stories we read and hear about day after day.
By Request to AJC
January 3, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this
I am thankful that our soldiers rescude Noor and that she is in Dr. Hudgins good hands. We never realize how fortunate we are to be Americans and have the advantages we have. However, AJC - why not set up a Noor Blog and let us hear from our soldiers in Iraq. This blog is for them and for their loved ones to know some of what is happening there. BUT keep us informed about Noor it’s just that I as a party of one would like articles about our troops. We have had some really good ones and I know that we will have more. Since Noor’s surgery and recovery will take months - start her a blog so we can keep up with her progress. This isn’t an unreasonable request, now is it???????
God bless our troops and Noor.
Yes - this is the website for Shepard of the Hills UMC where you can read how to make a donation for Noor:
http://www.sothumc.net/Lifeover/index.cfm?pageType=Home
By CRM
January 3, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this
I agree with the fact that the media has overblown this story. However, Noor is still a human being that needs help. This story began (in my opinion) as a public display of charity on the behalf of our soldiers, but the media decided to make a much bigger deal out of this than it should be. That is the case with most current events anyway. I do not see media coverage of charity being performed within our inner city (children, elderely, homeless, or just poor without motivation to get out of the situation) nor do I see any of the problems that our own American citizens face being solved by those more fortunate.
By Judy
January 3, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this
I am thrilled for the baby and her family and so very proud of all of the men and women, both soldiers and civillians, who have worked so hard to help get her the chance at life that she would have never had in Iraq———HOWEVER—my child is still in Iraq, along with a few thousand other children of somebody, and I really would like to know how they are doing, what their experiences are … etc.
Is there anyone from the AJC still in Iraq, or is their time up? If so, I would like to thank them for their time and efforts while the 48th has been “in country”. You have been our “lifeline” more times that I can count. If someone is still there - please get cracking and give us some news that we can’t watch on 47 different channels, at 5:00,6:00 and 11:00 at home.
Thanks so much.
By AM
January 3, 2006 06:14 PM | Link to this
I WILL LIKE TO KNOW WHY OUR SOLDIERS OF THE 48TH BCT- WHO SPENT SEVERAL MONTHS IN TWO OF THE MOST DANGEROUS ZONES ARE HEADING BACK THAT WAY. I PRAY FOR ALL OUR SOLDIERS AND HOPE THAT EVERYONE COMES HOME SAFE. TO MY HUSBAND SSGT J.M. WE MISS YOU AND REMEMBER THAT WE ARE WITH YOU ALWAYS. TE AMO - SIEMPRE EN MI MENTE, ALMA Y CORAZON. AM
By AuntieCoosa
January 3, 2006 07:52 PM | Link to this
Children in the USA have every opportunity for medical care. In Georgia, we have Medicaid and the CHIP program, PeachCare for Kids. If a child’s parents earn too much money or are ineligible for PeachCare for Kids due to having State Insurance, there’s always the Deeming Waiver program. The USA does take care of its own. There are tens of thousands of children cared for that you never read about. It’s not considered news if it’s good-news.
I want to commend the AJC and their editors and publisher for being the first to provide the world with this positive and affirming article about our Military and how our soldiers became involved in helping this family. THANK YOU to Delta Airlines, to the Military, to ChildSpring, to Children’s HealthCare, to all the doctors, especially Dr. Roger Hudgins, the hospital, the host family, and everyone who is praying for this child.
The USA needs more stories like this one from Iraq other areas where our soldiers are waging a war against terrorists and tyranny. You’re doing a great job, AJC. THANK YOU!
By concern
January 3, 2006 08:13 PM | Link to this
Okay-the baby is here.. The baby is going to have her surgeries.. The baby’s mother misses her.. Everyone is helping baby Noor (Georgia).. So-what are our soliders doing? And not just the 121st that saved the Baby.. I heard recently that the soliders from the HHC-108th Scout unit, was sent on a mission, a mission to Dump Human Waste beside a Roadside.. Where is that Story? Guess no one really wants to write about those missions.. What are our guys are realy doing?
By Kat Orr
January 3, 2006 08:16 PM | Link to this
This is FABULOUS news!!!! Thanks so much for reporting on some of the GOOD STUFF that happens over there!!!!! :-) Way to go, 48th!!!
standing ovation
Momma Kat from Loganville
By Alicia Westberry
January 4, 2006 12:06 AM | Link to this
To the person who says that an American child in this position wouldn’t be seen as important, that’s crazy. I have spina bifida, and I was taken care of by the doctors, nurses, and staff at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Dr. Hudgins was my last neurosurgeon, and fortunately, he didn’t have to do surgery on me. However, I do know that even without media coverage, the people who work at Children’s love their jobs and truly care about each and every patient. As I’ve said, Dr. Hudgins never needed to do surgery on me, but he is easily one of the best people I’ve ever met. He’s a sweetheart. I have to agree that Baby Noor really is in the best possible hands.
By Janicia
January 4, 2006 07:55 AM | Link to this
I agree with some of the other readers. Most of us read this blog for news on our soldiers. AJC, you have gone off on a tangent here. Time to get back to the reason you are in Iraq, to report news on the 48th brigade..
By Deb
January 4, 2006 09:44 AM | Link to this
Sweet baby. But I wonder how she will fare in Iraq when all the soldiers and reporters have gone home. If she is left permanently paralyzed, wheelchair bound, or cognitively impaired, in a poor family, how will her life go on? She may be a celebrity now but she may be abandoned later. What’s the plan here? Move the entire family to USA so they can go on state support? There has to be a long term plan for a disabled child.
By Jen
January 4, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this
Someone above said—Children in the USA have every opportunity for medical care—hummm, lets see. I work my butt off everyday-at a great paying job. I have a daughter who has medical problems and my child was turned down cause I made too much money for both programs that the state of Georgia has. So I had to go on my own and pay for insurance that, well cost ALOT every month.. I would love for someone to help and fly my child to another country and take care of her.. Yes, what will happen to this child and her family once we leave Iraq.. So, the USA takes care of it’s own… NO, we as Parents take care of our OWN.. Is it really our fault that other countries can’t do this?? Are we supose to go to every country now, and start saving… Why did we go to Iraq in the First Place??
By Another opinion
January 4, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this
I don’t give a rat’s behind what all these negative comments say - I am glad that our soldiers who face death everyday still have kind hearts and will help a those less fortunate. This one act of kindness is the only one out of Iraq that received this much notariety. If the other acts of kindness had been reported this much would they, too, have received so much negativity? Probably. If I don’t get it then they shouldn’t too???
I, too, want news of our troops and today, 4 Jan, there is an article about them. Thank you Moni and AJC. How many of you are going to diss these troops because they had a tour of UR? I, as a party of one, am glad they have this opportunity and leisure time. I like to know that they are not out ‘on patrol’ with no rest and little food, and nothing else. I bet that statement gets someone’s shackles up and they let me hold one because their soldier didn’t get to go since their solder is one of those who is always on patrol. My soldier wasn’t with that group either but I hope he gets there in another group. We’ll see how many whine.
To the Soldiers - I admire each of you and pray for your wellbeing and safety. I, too, am counting the time left before your boots again march on Georgia soil. Thank you for your sacrifice and service - those who save babies, help the afflicted and those who are not given that opportunity. Those soldiers who come in contact with the people of Iraq who appreciate our efforts now that they can see you wonderful soldiers are not monsters - as are the insurgents - and those who are in a support unit to be sure those in combat have what is needed. GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU AND BRING YOU HOME SAFELY SOON. God bless your families and the families of those who gave their all….
By mnisme
January 4, 2006 10:59 PM | Link to this
To AM, I just heard the same thing you did, some of the troops are returning to the front lines. This is so unfair. I wish they could all come home, not just the 48th, everybody.