Mohammed
(November 2008 to present)
We are currently assisting Mohammed, an 11 year old Iraqi boy from Ramadi, Iraq.  He has an Iraqi passport and an application is currently being submitted to the Consulate Office, US Embassy, Baghdad, Iraq for a visa to enter the United States for humanitarian medical treatment. The current time projection for his arrival in Michigan is late March or early April 2009 and he is expected to remain in the United States for up to 1 1/2 years. His skin grafts and plastic & reconstructive surgery will be performed at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI by Dr Edward Lanigan, MD of the Michigan State University Department of Surgery. Culturally, Mohammed will be assisted by the East Lansing Islamic Center and he will continue his education via the Greater Lansing Islamic School. Outreach is also being conducted with the Lansing/East Lansing Islamic community to locate an Arab-American family to sponsor Mohammed and make him feel more comfortable during his time with us and help him adapt during this time away from his family. Mohammed will also need home health care following his surgical procedures. He is a truly remarkable child who has suffered much during his eleven years, and now will have a new opportunity to live a happy, healthy life in the future.
We will post more as Mohammad arrives in the United States for his medical treatments.
As one of the two medic’s mentioned in the above artical I can honestly say that it is heart warming to see so much support from so many people who don’t even know this little boy! Please keep up the good work.
Spc.Rumph
combat medic 1-125INF
It’s a good thing that SPC Rumph and SPC Cherry were hungry for breakfast on that fateful November 6th morning - otherwise I would not have been covering for them during chow at the ECP when Mohammed and his mother first walked by with all of the other Martyr Pay women. Thanks guys!!
MAJ Howell
Battalion Physician Assistant
HHC, 1-125 IN
We have been notified that Mohammed & his family met with officials from the Consular Office at the US Embassy-Baghdad yesterday and that he has been granted a Humanitarian Medical B-2 Visa to travel to the United States for medical treatment. Our representative in Ramadi will be meeting with Mohammed & family in the near future to begin to make the necessary travel arrangements. He will also be trying to determine if Mohammed needs a transit visa from the Kuwaiti government. IMPORTANT: If he does not need a transit visa, Mohammed could be in Lansing in two weeks; if he does need a transit visa, that will be a time constraint and we’ll have to work thru the process to get it done.
MAJ Howell
Battalion Physician Assistant
HHC, 1-125 IN
As Maj. Howell stated in an article about this story “…in the process of healing him we are healing ourselves, as individuals, communities and as a state.” So very true. I’m proud of your service to our country and the humanitarian work you are giving to the people. Thank you thank you thank you.
You are to be commended for you work. Our organization, Healing the Children, also arranges for donated medical services for children and we know first hand the trials and tribulations of bringing a child to the US for care. I do have a donor interested in making educational funds available for children who’ve lost a parent in Iraq or Afghanistan. If you are interested, we’d like to help arrange for his education upon his return to Iraq following his recovery. I can be reached at dbuffin@htcne.org Feel free to visit our website at http://www.htcne.org
On 07 APR 2009 I linked up with Mohammed and his family at a predesignated point at Baghdad International Airport. After a harrowing encounter with Iraqi Customs & Immigration officials who initially refused to allow Mohammed to leave the country in spite of his valid Iraqi passport and US Visa, we were released and made our way back to the United States via Jordan the following day. Mohammed came with the clothes on his back and little else but is doing very well and getting aquainted with his new surroundings. In a few days, he will begin staying with his host Iraqi-American family who have been so gracious and understanding. I want to thank Dr Robert Hagan and LCDR (Chaplain) Kim Donahue in Ramadi for their exceptional assistance over the past five months. I also want to thank Dr Edward Lanigan & the Michigan State University Dept. of Surgery, Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, the East Lansing Islamic Center, and the Greater Lansing Islamic School for all of their ongoing support and assistance on behalf of Mohammed.
Soon, Mohammed will begin his medical treatment, which is the next phase of this journey. He will need your continued love and support in the weeks and months ahead.
MAJ Howell
Battalion Physician Assistant
HHC, 1-125 IN
A great big THANK YOU to all involved in helping this child. You are true humanitarians. (((hugs))) to all of you & to Mohammed too!
Mohammed had his first of several surgeries performed at Sparrow Health System/St Lawrence Campus on Friday 29 May 2009 by Dr Edward Lanigan, MD and Mr. Charles Thomas, PA-C of the MSU Department of Surgery. The surgery involved scar revision procedures (Z-plasty x 3) and fusion of his left index finger to restore function to his left hand. He is also currently undergoing a tissue expanding procedure on his scalp to repair extensive scarring there. In the months ahead, Mohammed will be undergoing additional surgery on his left hand and reconstructive surgical procedures on his nose, ear, face, and left eye socket. His left hand is now heavily bandaged and the surgical pins in his left index finger will be removed in another three weeks before his next procedure. He was able to speak with his mother in Ramadi Friday evening and she expressed her thanks to Dr Lanigan, the Sparrow Nursing Staff, and all others who have helped care for Mohammed.
Mohammed is doing very well at the Greater Lansing Islamic School in East Lansing where he attends the 5th Grade. He is also receiving outstanding support from his host family in East Lansing and the East Lansing Islamic Center. He is an avid soccer player and has been trying his hand at basketball, baseball, and tennis after school. He has also gone horseback riding, visited the Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, watched a Pistons playoff game at the Palace of Auburn Hills, and cheered for the Tigers at Comerica Park. Mohammed is getting stronger every day and has been benefiting from a better diet since he arrived on April 8th - he has gained 8 lbs. so far and has a very healthy appetite. We are all encouraged and inspired by Mohammed on a daily basis and thankful for this opportunity to serve him.
MAJ David Howell
Battalion Physician Assistant
HHC, 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment
Michigan Army National Guard
Flint, MI
Mohammed had his third plastic & reconstructive surgery performed on August 21st at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing by Dr Edward Lanigan of the MSU Department of Surgery. The surgery on his scalp was successful in creating additional space and realligning the tissue expander so that more tissue will be available for future procedures. Prior to the surgery on August 15th, Mohammed was invited to Comerica Park in Detroit where he was a special guest of the Detroit Tigers at a game vs. the Kansas City Royals. Before the game started he had an opportunity to visit & chat with All Stars Curtis Granderson and Justin Verlander, and he received an autographed baseball from Hall of Famer Al Kaline. Overall, Mohammed is doing great and getting ready to begin school at the Greater Lansing Islamic School on September 8th.
MAJ David Howell
Battalion Physician Assistant
1-125 IN
Michigan Army National Guard