Posted on 08/11/2005 8:53:13 PM PDT by Straight Vermonter
FORMER Iraq hostage Douglas Wood is now almost blind, a family spokesman has said.
Mr Wood had only about five per cent vision, making it difficult for him to get around unaided and severe rheumatoid arthritis had reduced his movements to a shuffle, the spokesman, who was not named, said. A lack of treatment for his diabetes and glaucoma while he was held captivity had damaged Mr Wood's eyesight.
Mr Wood, 64, was freed by Iraqi and American soldiers on June 15 after being held hostage in Baghdad for weeks by a group calling itself the Shura Council of the Mujahideen of Iraq.
Mr Wood said after his release that his eyesight was poor due to malnutrition he suffered while in captivity and side effects from heavy doses of steroids for his rheumatoid arthritis.
Mr Wood went without medication during his time in captivity and was given only bread and water, the family spokesman said.
Mr Wood and his wife are in the United States but plan to soon move to Melbourne.
Tragic. But do Muslims care? No.
Damn 7th century bastards!
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