Baghdad (NINA) -The one-year-old Nour Hassam Oudah, known as "Baby Noura," was born blind with congenital cataracts.
The condition is reversible with surgery, but out of reach for her family here, as the city's hospitals lack the facilities and physicians to perform such a procedure.
She lived in darkness until destiny sent some one to help her family in doing the surgery.
Contacts with the Order of St. John Charity Organization, a major international charity, accredited to the United Nations, whose organizations provide first aid, health care and support services in over 40 countries around the world, succeeded to recognize Nour to offer expenses for treating Nour outside Iraq.
Through contact with Ruth Ann Skaff, the U.S. Executive Director of the Priory of St John's, Hickman was referred to Dr. Mehyar, of the Khalidi Medical Center in Amman, Jordan, where the procedure was performed.
Dressed in a plush pink puppy dog snow suit, accessorized with a yellow and pink hat and little yellow rimmed glasses, Baby Noura made her rounds at her first birthday celebration, oblivious to her stardom. She looked around, waved and stared at some of the people instrumental in giving her such a special gift.
Nourah's paternal grandfather, Oudah Ghardi Sultan al-Jubori, said she has to go back for a checkup in a month and she has to wear glasses for five years; a small sacrifice for a lifetime of imagery.
Since the operation, family members said she crawls, grabs for things and follows hands, fingers and objects that are placed in front of her. Baby Nourah, with her big pouty cheeks and little cherry lips, now quietly absorbs her surroundings and responds at will. /End/
|
