Wood 'may lose eyesight' (Australian hostage in Iraq)

Herald Sun ^ | 27th June 2005

[naturalman1975]

FORMER Iraq hostage Douglas Wood has revealed he might lose his eyesight due to disease.

Mr Wood said today he had been diagnosed with a number of illnesses since he was released in Iraq a fortnight ago, including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, malnutrition and the eye disease glaucoma.

He said the glaucoma was not the result of his 47 days blindfolded in captivity, but due to the steroids he took to treat his arthritis.

Asked if his eyesight was in jeopardy, he said: "It may be."

"It may not be a major issue, it might be a minor issue. I think it's just however bad I am now, that they can stop it."

Mr Wood also revealed he had lost $2 million in contracts in Iraq by leaving the country after his release.

But he maintained a vow not to return to Iraq, saying it would not be fair to his family or the Australian people.

Mr Wood said he did not know what his future held, including when he would return to the United States, where he has lived for a number of years, or whether he would resume work.

[nmh]

I'd say the money is a moot issue. He's lucky to have his life. Those be headings still disturb me.

[angkor]

But he maintained a vow not to return to Iraq

He initially said he "might" return, but he should definitely (MOST definitely) respect the concerns of his wife and children.

And he still gets a hearty contractor salute for a job well done.

[sinanju]

I think this gent is a serious adrenaline junkie. How many 64 year-old contractors with multiple health problems feel compelled to go Where the Wild Things Are and, after an experience like this, can't wait to get back in the saddle.

I would like to know a little more about his past, something tells me it involves more than the average amount of swashbuckling.

[Piefloater]

I would expect he'd get any sympathy from the inner city - cafe latte sipping elites.

After all it was so very rude of him to call his gracious hosts in Iraq "arseholes" wasnt it /sarcasm

[corkoman]

He said the glaucoma was not the result of his 47 days blindfolded in captivity, but due to the steroids he took to treat his arthritis.

If the glaucoma was from corticosteroids it would go away when he stopped taking the steroids.

Weirdness. There is something goofy about this character.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Good thing he wasn't held in Gitmo. /sarcasm