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DEL.ICIO.USSurgery completed on Baby Noor
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The surgery on three-month-old Noor al-Zahra of Iraq went better than expected, her doctor said Monday afternoon.
Baby Noor, as she has come to be known, may have a second procedure Wednesday if fluid builds up in her brain, as is common in similar cases of spina bifida, said Dr. Roger Hudgins of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
“She just radiates good feeling,” Hudgins said. “We’ve gotten to the point where we love this child.”
Hudgins and a colleagues operated on Baby Noor Monday morning. He said he hopes Noor will be developmentally and mentally normal, though she will require a wheelchair and have limited control of her bladder and bowels.
The surgery was undertaken to repair a portion of 3-month-old Noor al-Zahra’s spinal cord that did not fully form during her mother’s pregnancy. They also hope to remove a mass of skin that has grown up around the cord.
The doctors predict success but envision Noor spending her life in a wheelchair with limited control of her bladder and bowels.
“Our best scenario is that she will be a paraplegic,” said Dr. Roger Hudgins, the hospital’s top neurosurgeon, who will perform most of the surgery.
Yet, her future has brightened immeasurably since Georgia National Guard soldiers in Iraq discovered her on a raid last month. Iraqi doctors told Noor’s family they could not help her and that she would likely not live long.
Soldiers from a Gainesville-based unit of the 48th Brigade Combat Team made connections that led to today’s surgery.
“She’s as personable as any 3-month-old I’ve ever seen,” Hudgins said. “She’ll grab your finger. She coos and does all the right things.”
He said he has explained the surgery to Noor’s father and grandmother, who accompanied her to Atlanta.
“The questions they asked were very thoughtful and insightful,” he said. “They got it as well as any parent would get it.”
Hudgins said there is “a 99 percent chance” Noor will survive. He planned to repair the damaged spinal cord, put it in its proper place and remove a mass of skin about 5 inches long and 3 inches wide.
“That skin makes the surgery technically difficult,” he said, “but it’s probably what saved her life.”
Noor suffers from a severe form of spina bifida, an ailment that caused part of her spinal cord to protrude through her back. Hudgins said he believes the skin that encased her cord helped prevent infection.
Intense follow-up needed
Hudgins said doctors and nurses will monitor Noor for signs of a fluid build-up in her head and back, which happens in roughly 90 percent of similar spina bifida cases. If fluid does accumulate, Hudgins plans to perform a second surgery Wednesday to insert a shunt, a type of drainage tube.
At some later date, Hudgins said, doctors at Children’s Healthcare probably will perform a third surgery to reposition Noor’s bladder and let urine empty through an opening doctors will create below the baby’s belly button.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, which is donating its medical services to Noor, keeps tabs on several hundred spina bifida patients at any given time. Noor stands out because she suffers from a severe form of the birth defect and because she will need intense follow-up care after returning to war-torn Iraq.
Someone will have to monitor the shunt Hudgins expects to insert in Noor. If it clogs and fluid builds up, Noor could die, Hudgins said. In Iraq, she will need access to a neurosurgeon able to unclog the shunt if problems surface. In addition, she will need to see a urologist to deal with whatever bladder issues may arise, he added.
Her family, like relatives of anyone with paralysis, will have to keep an eye on Noor to make sure she has not accidentally hurt her legs, where she has no feeling. Doctors at Children’s Healthcare have treated paralyzed patients who were accidentally cut or burned but did not immediately know it.
Noor also is at risk as she gets older of developing scoliosis, or curvature of the spine, Hudgins said.
“This child is going to have a long, hard road,” said Jim Okula of Atlanta, past president of the Spina Bifida Association of Georgia. “What is the health care going to be like in Iraq?”
Malady gets attention
Though precise figures have proven elusive, Okula said, the association estimates that 1,100 to 1,700 people in Georgia suffer from spina bifida. Parents with affected children often have trouble paying medical bills. Those who live far from Atlanta may have a hard time reaching a spina bifida clinic held several times a month at Children’s Healthcare.
One positive aspect of the Baby Noor case, in Okula’s view, is that more people are hearing about spina bifida, which occurs in roughly one of every 2,000 live births in the United States, according to the March of Dimes.
Baby Noor’s case has given the association a chance to tell people how to prevent spina bifida — women who plan to become pregnant should take folic acid in a supplement or by drinking orange juice or eating oranges, dried beans and legumes, or leafy green vegetables.
“This is indeed helping us raise awareness,” Okula said.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Hannah Milford
January 9, 2006 12:13 AM | Link to this
Thank you to all the soldiers who helped save this little miracle baby’s life! May God Bless you all as hes guides the hands of the doctors performing her surgery and taking care of Little Noor!
By 48th Wife
January 9, 2006 12:55 AM | Link to this
Heavenly Father, Guide the hands that will care for this precious baby. Give peace to her family, especially to her mother. Bless all the soldiers who’s hopes and prayers for this precious baby are being realized. Bless us all with the same selfless love that has gotten baby Noor this far. This is the kind of love that brings real Peace. Amen
By Beverly Thomas
January 9, 2006 01:50 AM | Link to this
God be with you SweetBaby Girl.
By Lew Morris
January 9, 2006 07:08 AM | Link to this
so now that you’ve taking care of baby noor, what are you gointg to do about the american babies that are poor and need madical help, let them suffer their whole life. Lew
By Adrienne
January 9, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this
I pray for little Noor’s quick recovery..Her story and pictures have truly touched my heart..She is a beautiful child and I hope she lives a long, healthy, and happy life..
By concerned
January 9, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this
It is a sad day when someone begrudges a precious child getting a life-saving operation. If everyone could just show the love and compassion that the 121st showed when they found this baby the world would be a much better place.
By Co C 1/121 Soldier
January 9, 2006 09:26 AM | Link to this
Mr. Lew Morris, If ANYONE asks us for help, we WILL do what is right, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. Unfortunately, we don’t have access to american babies at the moment, so please forgive us.
By shelvia
January 9, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this
I agree with you 100 percent. It is a sad day in AMERICA when people born and raised here get turned down because they have no insurance or not enough coverage, but they fly in a child that seemingly suffers from what some American children suffer from daily and give the a FREE operation. That is obscene. America needs to desperately learn to take care home first and them worry about others.
By Brenda
January 9, 2006 09:56 AM | Link to this
This is for Lew
Sir, American babies have parent(s) who have the opportunity to get them very good medical care. Let’s not question the goodness of the doctors in Atlanta, or the soldiers who found this adorable little girl and wanted to do anything in their power to make sure that she makes it. I have a 10-year-old son with cerebral palsy and I have access to excellent medical care for him.
By rebekah white
January 9, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this
To help the helpless is quite easy; it does not require the National Guard. Just look around you and reach out your hand, Mr Morris.
By Ycobb
January 9, 2006 10:52 AM | Link to this
First i would like to say we are all thankful, I wish Baby Noor and her family the best of luck and i would like to let them now my prayers are with them upon the surgery. She is so beautiful and i would also like to give thanks to the troops who found the baby and having the good courage to help this family. I will be praying for the family and the beautiful baby!! Good Luck and stay STRONG
By Mary Mrugalski
January 9, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this
Yes, America needs better healthcare for all. But that does not mean that this child’s life is not worth saving as well. As the mother of a beautiful, intelligent, 18 year old, who is on her way to college to study music as a violinist and who also happens to have Spina Bifida, I can tell you from experience that she would not be facing the bright future that she faces today had she been denied access to necessary medical care.
By James
January 9, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this
Waste of time, waste of money, and a lost cause. We’re at war, and this publicity stunt is not part of the mission.
By Jim
January 9, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this
I salute Co C 1/121 for the act of grace & kindness for Baby Noor. Their deed is understood clearly among the Iraqi people. It demonstrates Americans’ concern for ‘even the least of them.” Dismiss the critics summarily.
By Antoine
January 9, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this
This is such a jaded piece of propoganda to make yourselves feel better for the mass murders your government and your brain-washed soldiers have commited in Iraq. Hurray! your boys have saved one baby out of the thousands more they have indiscriminately bombed to death and the millions more who will be deformed and die from the DU munitions radiation.
I shouldn’t even bother writing to you because you all just don’t care.
This paper is such a naked propoganda tool.
Keep up the bad work!
By Kim
January 9, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this
Yes…it’s a blessing for this child to have been taken care of be saved and I don’t believe anyone is begrudging the baby; blessing and well wishes to her and her family. However…look at the statistics…1 in 2,000 births right here in the USA…’Are each of these babies receiving free medical attention?’..doubtful.
I’m sure the medical expenses associated with spina bifida are enoromous…so much so that I didn’t recieve my first surgery for the condition until i was 2 years old ~ 34 years ago.
It’s not begrudging the baby…she is just the poster child for all the ‘right’ the US in doing in Iraq.
By 48th Wife
January 9, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this
Mr. Lew Morris, and others who would grumble. I have a question for you- WHAT ARE YOU DOING? We should always seek to do good when it is in our power to do so. Many good things will come of this- for American children as well. You know the need now- WHAT WILL YOU DO? God has used this precious baby to teach us all something that will bless us if we take the time to get it. I pray that you and others like you will take the time to get it. If you do the world will be a better place.
By Brendan
January 9, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this
I am the father of a baby who needed Dr. Hudgins’s skill on two surgeries and the efforts of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta on at least four occasions. Dr. Hudgins is a gifted surgeon and a compassionate person. I am not aware of any children being denied his surgical skills based upon the parents’ ability to pay. We know that Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta works with people who have no health insurance to make sure that their children are treated professionally, without regard to the parents’ ability to pay. Each night, we pray for God to help children such as Baby Noor, to help their families, and to bless all those who are devoting their efforts on behalf of these children. Yes, our medical system needs some work, but let’s not take away from the wonderful generosity shown by Dr. Hudgins and the team at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. We will continue to pray for Baby Noor and all the children who need healthcare.
By Sherri
January 9, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this
Baby Noor couldn’t ask for a better Neurosurgeon in Dr. Hudgins! He has performed many surgeries on my own daughter! God bless Dr. Hudgins and all those who helped bring Noor the help she needed!
By Jamessia Ward
January 9, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this
God bless this innocent baby as you see fit. Our heavenly father please allow this young child to have a painless and speedy recovery. Allow a miracle to be done here on this baby. Please Jesus I rebuke the devil the name of jesus I say Amen. Readers continue to pray and have faith and God wil make a way for you and baby Noor. Jamessia Ward
By Valeria
January 9, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this
I think that it is awesome what the soldiers have done. I am an American single mother with 2 children who are fortunately very healthy but they do have excellent health care. Peachcare is a very affordable option for those who cannot provide or afford healthcare. I am a veteran of the USAF and I applaude the caring and concern that our fine soldiers are displaying in a country that is not even their own. Many of them, I am sure have not even seen their families in months. God Bless each and every one of those involved in helping out this poor child!
By Docjiro
January 9, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this
As a physician, I think Lew’s point is a valid one. I didn’t get the sense that he was indicting anyone for trying to help a child in need —- just making a general comment about the state of healthcare in the US. The system is broken —— and no, it is not equal, not everyone can get the same access to (or the quality) of healthcare in this country. It’s probably similar to the socioeconomics of those who even has access to this blog….I suspect there are less of those souls who can afford health care that have the internet access to respond to this argument. They are even underrepresented in this discussion.
By Allan LaBarre
January 9, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this
Maybe we all need to be more like the soldiers of the 48th by taking action when we see a need. If we see children within our own borders that need help, maybe we need to be as proactive as the soldiers of the 48th and make miracles happen on the home front. We should not even begin to criticize what these soldiers have done since they made the effort to make a difference in one child’s life. How many childrens’ lives could be made better if we all put forth the same effort that these honorable soldiers put forth.
By K
January 9, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this
I have to agree w/Lew. Part of the problem in this country is that we spend more time fixing other coutries problems instead of our own. Not everyone in this country can afford childcare like Brenda can. Let’s take care of our own first for a change & then worry about other places. However, since this is apparently a done deal I do wish baby Noor the best, hope she has a speedy recovery & an even faster trip back to her homeland.
By Brenda
January 9, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this
This is for Shelvia. I don’t know what is up with you and Lew. People in the states have access to medical care, REGARDLESS of their financial state. It upsets me to NO end to read these kinds of letters. The doctor at the Children’s Hospital is giving up his own time, when he could be making plenty of money to do this surgery for this adorable baby girl. His heart is in the right place. Look around you, Shelvia. People do things out of the GOODNESS of their hearts.
By Suzannah
January 9, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this
Well try finding a specialist to help your child when you have no insurance…and try finding the money to get a cleft palate repaired (when doctors are going overseas to repair them on foreign babies) or try to see a dentist when you have no money or insurance….you’ll find out just difficult it is. I pray for Baby Noor but I pray harder for these poor children in America..who are in the “Land of Opportunity” but have none :(( Sad day
By A.I.
January 9, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this
If I am correct, which I KNOW I am… we are to love our neighbors as we love ourselves… and I don’t think we are to be partial. God Bless those soldiers and those doctors and of course Baby Noor.
By Karen Cheyne
January 9, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this
It is said that ‘It takes a village to raise a child’and Atlanta has proven that it takes its role in the ‘global village’ seriously. I applaud Atlanta and the soldiers of the 48th for the love and mercy they are showing Noor.
At this point in time, Americans can make a conscious decision to provide health care for their children whether it be via adequate health insurance or accessing services for those on limited income . They have the facilities and the educational process to understand the illnesses they have to deal with on behalf of their children. The people of Iraq don’t.
Every child in the world deserves the chance to be as healthy as possible. Noor is a child of the universe. Why are some people begrudging this little girl her chance at life? To choose to ‘not save a life’ is equivalent to choosing ‘to end one’.
Poverty exists as a ‘state of material well-being’, a ‘state of mind’and a ‘state of spirit’. You are just as poverty stricken as the homeless, Mr. Morris and Shelvia.
Red Deer Alberta Canada
By Angela
January 9, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this
I am a woman living with Spina Bifida. I am praying for the speedy recovery of baby NOOR.I know what she is in for and it is not going to be easy, but I think she will be ok if nothing goes wrong with the recovery. I am thrilled that the world knows about the American soldier that helped Noor You will never know what happiness you have given me as an American and a woman with SB.
By Alisa
January 9, 2006 02:11 PM | Link to this
May God Bless all involved with the care of Baby Noor and her family. Every child regardless of nationality or any other grouping title deserves to have the best medical care available.
By Merri Anne
January 9, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this
Poverty, disease and natural disasters know no boundries and neither do compassion, hope and healing. May we always reach out to take care of those who suffer along our path.
God Bless the soldiers for continuing to care and continue to follow their heart in the heat of conflict.
By Sharon
January 9, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry Lew but it’s not the poor American children who are suffering from healthcare. They do great on medicaid. It’s the middle class working family who’s kids go without. These parents either can’t afford a health insurance policy, their employeers don’t offer health care or its just too expensive to accept. I know a company who charges their employees $650 per month for family coverage. Why work????
All children deserve heathcare, ALL CHILDREN. Let’s leave it at that.
By Pam
January 9, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this
Lew and Shelvia, perhaps you haven’t been paying attention to the other news stories about Baby Noor. In 2004 alone, Children’s provided $73 million in unreimbursed medical care. I’m sure most of this was spent on American children. Many other nonprofit, pediatric hospitals throughout the U.S. do the same. Perhaps it’s time to make a donation to one of these important organizations that help children in need every day.
By Mary
January 9, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this
Yes, there are many children in American who need this same treatment. The difference is, they have immediate access to information and healthcare related to preventing the condition, and access to the treatment for spina bifida. Any child born in America with such a condition would be offered treatment immediately. Some would pay through private health insurance and others would pay through Medicaid. There are unfortunately people who fall between the cracks with health insurance, and would build up extensive medical bills. But, nonetheless, their child would receive the necessary treatment. So, it is simply heartless to act as if we shouldn’t have helped this innocent little baby because she’s not AMERICAN! If you are really concerned about AMERICANS getting necessary healthcare, then vote for a president that supports a national healthcare plan.
By metoor
January 9, 2006 02:57 PM | Link to this
We may have the wonderful treatment available, but everyone cannot afford it. I think that is the concern of Lew. I’m just glad that one more precious child has been helped.
By Amanda
January 9, 2006 03:02 PM | Link to this
“American babies that are poor and need medical help” get it. It’s called Medicaid and it is paid for by our tax dollars.
By Lamar Lambert
January 9, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this
Dr. Hudgins gave me the best medical advice I ever heard when I confronted him in the hallway about the limited success of my daughter’s surgery. He told me to PRAY. I did and with the help of God and Dr. Hudgins I have a beautiful, healthy daughter now.
By Shelby
January 9, 2006 03:23 PM | Link to this
To the soldiers of the 48th.
You are the true heroes. Thank you for not only helping Baby Noor, but for being there. I know that you are fighting for everyone even the cowards like Lew. While you fight to survive everyday, he sits here in his comfortable home and enjoys all of the freedoms you fight for everyday. We love you all and pray for your safe return.
By A realist
January 9, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this
Brenda, you are 100 percent right. Yes, parents may go into debt to get their kids care. But there are so many programs out there in the US to help US children who are ill.
I have a 14 month old with CP as a result of a stroke. And she has had top of the line care.
By Lynette
January 9, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this
For Lew:
Children’s Healthcare takes care of American babies regardless of their ability to pay. Following is a quote from their website. “The Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to bringing health, hope and happiness to children through philanthropic and volunteer support for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
The Foundation works with individual donors, charitable foundations and corporations to enhance medical services and programs, and to help care for children whose families could not otherwise afford to pay. Last year alone, Children’s provided approximately $73 million in unreimbursed care to children in need.” For the most part, the American kids just have to have somebody ask for help.
By ALA
January 9, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this
I somewhat agree with Lew. Even in America, there are some parents that cannot afford medical care. All employers don’t offer it and on the income that some make, medical care is not an option to survive from day to day. Now, don’t get me wrong, my heart goes out to Baby Noor and her family, but we should take care of home. We seem to always make excuses when we are speaking about Americans. Everyone in America is not sitting high rolling in money.
By S. Wells
January 9, 2006 03:39 PM | Link to this
I am so amazed that someone would actually be angry that Baby Noor has been given this opportunity for some quality of life. Every life is precious - in the U.S. and all over the world. I am positive that God, in his wisdom, chose Baby Noor and the group of soldiers, to meet and for this miracle to happen for her. I am so sorry there are people so bitter and hardened that they can’t see the beauty of love for our fellow man.
By DEE
January 9, 2006 03:41 PM | Link to this
NO child here or abroad, rich or poor, should be denied medical help. I wish her a speedy recovery.
By demarah
January 9, 2006 03:48 PM | Link to this
I am very happy that little Noor survived in this surgery. I hope that little Noor and her mom are OK. God bless you two.
By Nina
January 9, 2006 03:58 PM | Link to this
I’m glad this child is getting the proper surgery and medical care. I couldn’t care less about the people, government, or media’s motives. And I definitely don’t care about the baby’s gender, race, religion, or nationality.
By Tiarra
January 9, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this
Why are we in such denial that there are STILL children in this country without proper health care? While I am following the Baby Noor story and wish her and her family the best, but we cannot ignore that this is still an issue in America. I wonder if a poor black child living in (insert your choice of a poor metro Atlanta neighborhood) would be given this same type of treatement and media attention.
By Janice
January 9, 2006 04:21 PM | Link to this
For those critics, please cite one child in the US with a comparable condition to Baby Noor. You cannot! The American children with spina bifida are treated at birth and do not progress to this stage without corrective surgery, whether they are poor or not. Helping this baby is not denying care to an American in similar circumstance. The posts to this board made by the parents of children with medical challenges is a testimony to the medical care available to American babies. If there are American children without care, I would look to the parents for their lack of initiative in finding the programs that are out there for their children, such as PeachCare right here in Georgia.
By A soldier's wife
January 9, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this
For all of you with your well wishes…keep on praying…for Baby Noor and our troops and pray for those negative people that are so wrapped up in their own little warped minds to make negative comments regarding anything our United States military does. Newsflash..if it weren’t for the troops you negative people would be living in a world just like Iraq and Afghanistan and if you have it so bad here in the as you say “Land of Opportunity” then leave and try to make it on your own in a land like Iraq and make sure to never consider accepting any help from the American soldiers because believe me it would be offerred. You should all be ashamed of yourself! God bless our troops!
By Co C 1/121 Soldier
January 9, 2006 05:47 PM | Link to this
Antoine, My Brothers and I put our lives on the line every day to ensure you have the right to utter such nonsense. But we do so because we love our country and all of her people, not because of so called brain-washing. However, freedom of speech works both ways. Just as you have the right to berate OUR government and OUR soldiers, we have the right to point you to the border and wish you well on the other side of it.
By Carole
January 9, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this
God Bless the soldiers that brought Baby Noor to the attention of those who could help. Let us be thankful for a surgeon that gave his time and love to this baby. My prayers are for the family of Baby Noor.
By American Mom
January 9, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this
As I read through the comments, it dawned on me that many of you do not have full understanding about how baby Noor was able to come to America for treatment. Thanks to a loving organization called Childspring International, www.childspringintl.org - the wishes of the Georgia National Guardsmen who found her came to fruition. Childspring helps children from all over the world get medical care. So, this was not a polictical move. The soldiers merely researched how they could get help for this child and found such an answer through an organization right here in Atlanta. Take the time to educate yourselves!
By Sharon
January 10, 2006 03:13 AM | Link to this
First of all let me start out by saying that I am someone who is living with Spina Bifida myself and on my behalf I would like to thank everyone involved in making things happen for this little girl. Its truly a wonderful thing that this was able to happen for her and her family. I wish nothing but the best for her, her family and everyone who has a hand in this. May God Bless You All! Second let me say that I first came to the comments here thinking I was going to read alot of well wishes and lots of prayers but was appalled that some of these comments here are just down right mean. Again let me remind you that I am disabled with Spina Bifida and when I was born my parents had nothing. They were broke but let me assure you they found the help they needed and while it took a bit of time it wasn’t as hard as it might seem to find the help especially compared to the place that Noor lives. Hence her going for three months and being flown here to get proper care by humanitarians and earth angels. Also do you know exactly what happens to most babies who have Spina Bifida in places like where Noor lives? They DIE from infection due to the fact that you can not close their opening in their backs leaving it EXPOSED to the elements. I had my back surgery at 2 days old in a clean sanitary hospital. Baby Noor did not have that option BUT her body did form skin over her opening which to date I know of no other case of that happening which means in a sense Baby Noor had a MIRACLE to occur which means this little baby has PURPOSE just like any other person with a disability who SURVIVES. Who are we to question why God let this happen? As for the people who are upset that she has free surgery and free medical bills for the rest of her life, try walking a mile in her shoes…Let’s look at life from a disabled person’s life for just a moment to shed some light on the subject. Let’s see if she has to be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life do you know how hard it will be for her to even get around if she has to go back home? I would dare to quess almost impossible. It has already been stated that they think she may possibly be paralyzed and that she may have bowel and bladder issues. Do you think it will be easy to keep bladder infections down with water conditions being less than what we have here? Do you know how hard it is to keep bowel issues under control when you don’t have the proper medicines to help combat it? Also she will probably have a shunt, do you know what its like to have one of those and feel that your life could be over if you get hit in the head the wrong way? Or did you know that if you are not taken the medical care immediately upon an issue with it that you could have fluid build up or an infection and again could DIE. In closing I want to say that I think it’s a bad thing that people here have turned what should have been well wishes into attacks on this baby’s family and the doctors and soldiers who had a hand in this HUMANITARIAN ACT!! It’s a sad thing when people feel the need to attack an innocent child and people who were doing the right thing. Next time before speaking ask God to guide you or at the very least let your thoughts go through your heart before they come out of your mouth and maybe even walk a mile in someone else’s shoes before ever thinking about posting something so horrible again. I will pray for things to change in the humanitarian department it sounds as if the world might need it.
By military wife
January 10, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this
Not everyone does have access to health care in the United States. Working in a doctors office for years, I have seen children and adults who couldn’t afford to have medical care that they needed. I think we should start with our own children first and then go to other countries. There are children in this country that needed medical care that are dying everyday because they don’t have health insurance and the families can’t afford health insurance. Let’s take care of our own before we start taking care of others. That is what is wrong with our country.
By Laura
January 10, 2006 02:04 PM | Link to this
To Antoine: … Propoganda or not, this babies life was saved.
By Misty
January 10, 2006 02:57 PM | Link to this
First of all I want to say thank you to the sloiders for their help with Noor. I have a 15 month old and I couldn’t think of him going through the same thing. I pray for his family that she returns in good health. I hope there is something to be done about all the other children that is suffering with the same thing. Children are gifts from God and they shouldn’t have to suffer to see what the world has to offer. I know Noor will accomplish great when she retuns to Iraq. She will be loved by millions as well as her family.
By Tammy
January 10, 2006 04:38 PM | Link to this
Ditto on what C co 1/121 soldier said! I also think along with praying for Baby Noor and our soldiers, we need to be praying for people like Antione, and James. … To all our American soldiers- don’t let people like this discourage you from doing what is good and right. God’s blessings upon you all!!!
By Linda
January 11, 2006 12:11 AM | Link to this
The facts stated by Suzannah are all too true. I have experienced what she has stated with my child, and yes it makes me angry to live in the most advanced and richest nation in the world and not be able to afford treatment or obtain assistance for my child. Charity begins at home. I agree take care of our own first.
By Anne Crawford, Covington, GA
January 13, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this
Dr. Hudgins is a wonderful doctor. He saved my daughter’s life six years ago. She grew up to be a vibrant, beautiful young woman. Thank you for helping little Noor and her family. My prayers are with her and her family as she heals.
By Antoine
January 13, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this
I like how you all at the AJC have censored my last comment to the Soldier. He told me to “Love it or Leave it” and I told him he can’t justify murder. Collectively Americans support dictatorship and brutality and then have the gall to be shocked when Americans are brutalized in return. It is only a matter of time before the economy prosperity finally caves in and the U.S. is plunged into a full-fledged dictatorship.
By Another Soldiers Wife
January 13, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this
Antoine and others that agree with him: Please…let’s be real here. Our soldiers, the ones you refer to in previous statements, along with all the mean and terrible statements about them, are standing up for your right to say these things. I don’t see any of them doing the same about or towards you. If you dislike them, their families and others that support them then I can only see that you dislike the country and beliefs in which we as Americans stand for. I don’t know where you are from, but I can only hope it is not from America espcially Georgia…It would hurt to know that my husband is putting his life on the line everyday, without question or hesitation, for the likes of you. If you dislike what this country is doing then guess what…America gives you the right to leave it behind. I recommend you do so maybe you can find happiness, peace and prosperity in your deranged mind that might think there is a country out there better than ours.
To our soldiers and all the families and friends that support them…thank you. Not too much longer until the 48th comes home by my count just over 100 days! We are almost there friends! God Bless them and keep them safe.
By Marie
January 17, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this
Antoine, I believe they are casting for dumb and dumber 3 in IRAN. This could be your BIG chance. While you are there you can enjoy all of the “economic” (not economy) prosperity their citizens enjoy….and who knows you might fall in a vat of enriched uranium and drown…..BONUS !!!