From Tragedy to Hope
From Tragedy to Hope
Two-year-old Muhammed Hussein faced unimaginable tragedy when he was shot in the face by militants in Baghdad, leaving him in critical condition. In a remarkable turn of events, a group of compassionate doctors facilitated his journey to America, where a family opened their hearts and home to help him heal. Arriving in May 2006 with his grandmother by his side, Muhammed’ new foster family helped him adapt to a new world while awaiting crucial surgeries that everyone hoped would transform his now misshapen face and potentially restore sight to his remaining eye. This poignant photo essay captures the key moments of Muhammed's journey from war-torn Iraq to a haven of healing and hope in an American suburb
Arrives at SeaTac airport with his grandmother - Hamoody was brought to the Seattle area from Iraq in May 2006 by the nonprofit group Healing the Children and has undergone tests for a year. -©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
Muhammed Hussein, three, finds solace between his Iraqi grandmother Saudna Ali and new foster mother Julie Robinett Smith in Snohomish, creating a poignant moment as Saudna bids a heartfelt farewell to her grandson before returning to Iraq. ©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
A tearful farewell: Saudna Ali embraces her grandson in a poignant moment before departing his foster family's home near Seattle, Washington, to return to Iraq. As she bids farewell to the blind and deformed boy, a survivor of the face-shattering violence in their war-torn homeland, Ali finds solace in the knowledge that his new life promises safety and fulfillment, even as the emotional distance spans across continents. ©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
Dr. Joseph Gruss reviews Hamoody’s CAT scans the day of the surgery. The operation lasted eight hours. ©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
Foster mother Julie Robinett Smith comforts 3-year-old Muhammed during a visit to a doctor's office. "He can go from sad to happy really fast," she says. He now can recite his ABCs, count to 10 and say "I love you," Smith says. Nine months later, Muhammed speaks excellent English and forgotten his Arabic language. ©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
Host mother Julie Robinett Smith sits in on one of Hamoody’s many medical appointments — this one an eye examination by Children’s Hospital pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. Avery Weiss. Foster mother Julie Robinett Smith comforts 3-year-old Muhammed during a visit to a doctor's office. "He can go from sad to happy really fast," she says. He now can recite his ABCs, count to 10 and say "I love you," Smith says. Nine months later, Muhammed speaks excellent English and forgotten his Arabic language. ©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
Host mother Julie Robinett Smith sits in on one of Hamoody’s many medical appointments — this one an eye examination by Children’s Hospital pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. Avery Weiss. ©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
Swedish Medical Center staff rotates an unconscious Hamoody following a CT scan so that he can be further evaluated by a team of eye doctors. ©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
4-year-old Hamoody’s long-awaited facial surgery nears completion. After 8-hours at Children’s Hospital & Regional Medical Center, surgeon Dr. Joseph Gruss used a section of Hamoody’s rib to build a new eye socket and another piece to rebuild his nose. Hamoody received a rebuilt right eye socket, which will be fitted with a prosthetic eye, and a reconstructed nose, which will eventually allow him to breathe properly. ©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
His face still swollen, young Hamoody is back at his Snohomish foster home. ©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
When he first arrived at his foster family's home, Muhammed refused to climb into the bathtub. Now, it has become one of his favorite rituals. He doesn't want to get out until the water has chilled and the floor is flooded. ©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
Randy and Julie Robinett Smith, Muhammed's foster parents, walk him to the bus for the trip to school. The family doesn't know how long he will stay, but have grown intensely close to the newest member of their family. ©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
Elizabeth Williams, an education assistant for the Snohomish School District, makes sure Muhammed is buckled up for his bus ride home following his day at school. ©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
Muhammed has been enrolled at Central Primary and is learning to use a cane and read Braille. For the 3-year-old boy who miraculously survived a gunshot wound to the face in his native Iraq, making his way through life with a white cane and Braille would be a wonderful victory. ©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
Muhammed's genuine affection for his cat, lovingly nicknamed 'Baby,' shines through as he playfully utters the Iraqi term 'bazoona,' capturing the essence of their heartwarming connection. ©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times
Hamoody plays outside the home of his host parents, Randy and Julie Robinett Smith of Snohomish. “He’s incredibly athletic,” says Randy Smith. ©Thomas James Hurst/The Seattle Times