An American veteran returns from Iraq and, despite being unmarried and unemployed and Iraqi law prohibiting in, begins fighting to adopt an orphaned Iraqi boy he met on his combat tour. Carrie Antlfinger has the story for the Associated Press:
Capt. Scott Southworth knew he'd face violence, political strife and blistering heat when he was deployed to one of Baghdad's most dangerous areas. But he didn't expect Ala'a Eddeen.Ala'a was 9 years old, strong of will but weak of body -- he suffered from cerebral palsy and weighed just 55 pounds. He lived among about 20 kids with physical or mental disabilities at the Mother Teresa orphanage, under the care of nuns who preserved this small oasis in a dangerous place.
* * * * *
Over the next 10 months, the unit returned to the orphanage again and again. The soldiers would race kids in their wheelchairs, sit them in Humvees and help the sisters feed them.
To Southworth, Ala'a was like a little brother. But Ala'a -- who had longed for a soldier to rescue him -- secretly began referring to Southworth as "Baba," Arabic for "Daddy."
Then, around Christmas, a sister told Southworth that Ala'a was getting too big. He would have to move to a government-run facility within a year.
"Best case scenario was that he would stare at a blank wall for the rest of his life," Southworth said.
To this day, he recalls the moment when he resolved that that would not happen.
"I'll adopt him," he said.
Read the rest at the above.
Merry Christmas to all!
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Filed under:
Iraq, Military
Tags: Iraq, military
Comments (2)
That is an inspiring story,... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Maggie | December 24, 2007 9:29 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
That is an inspiring story, and has a good
message. I hope he wins over all obstacles
to be baba to that little boy.
Merry Christmas to everyone.
And many many thanks to all who are serving
and have served that we may continue to freely
celebrate the most blessed day of Christs'
birth.
1. Posted by Maggie | December 24, 2007 9:29 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on December 24, 2007 09:29
2. Posted by lowmal | December 24, 2007 7:15 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
An incredibly sweet story, indeed..
Just one of many mini-miricles which abound all around us..
2. Posted by lowmal | December 24, 2007 7:15 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 24, 2007 19:15