AP Photo: Scott Southworth, right, is seen with his adopted son, Ala'a, July 19, 2007, in the...
Posted on 12/23/2007 7:09:03 PM PST by AirForceGeorge
MAUSTON, Wis. - 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.
On Sept. 6, 2003, halfway through his 13-month deployment, Southworth and his military police unit paid a visit to the orphanage. They played and chatted with the children; Southworth was talking with one little girl when Ala'a dragged his body to the soldier's side.
Black haired and brown eyed, Ala'a spoke to the 31-year-old American in the limited English he had learned from the sisters. He recalled the bombs that struck government buildings across the Tigris River.
"Bomb-Bing! Bomb-Bing!" Ala'a said, raising and lowering his fist.
"I'm here now. You're fine," the captain said.
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
A very moving story. And not just because of how unbelievable it is that the AP ran it.
Why can’t Hollywood make a movie about a story like this? This would make an incredible film. I guess it wouldn’t serve their purpose of pushing anti-Americanism and pushing for defeat in the war.
Wow.
bump!
*sniff* ping
Need a Kleenex box for this one.
This is a beautiful story! I want to see my local paper run it.
.
Another one of our heartless bad guy warriors.
God bless him and his adopted son.
Heartwarming indeed. Time to marry the girlfriend though.
Saw the story on CNN.
Kid’s level of Cerebral Palsy is such that he has one heck of a chance of gaining some independance now with this fellow adopting him.
I cried tears of joy for both the Soldeir and the child.
Those that know someone afflicted with CP know they have a great sense of humor.
My son and his buddy (both severe CP) were discussing what they would do if they won the lottery.
His buddy said he would buy a military air craft so he could load up his RV and all the comforts of home to get to Grama’s house faster and see the Reagan Library. Cool.
Bump.
Hard to believe AP put this out. BTTT.
Yup, who "terrorize Iraqi women and children in the dead of night" - John Kerry.
God bless him and his adopted son.
Amen. Uplifting story.
Thanks for the links. Heart warming!
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