Al Amreeki gives a high five to his interpreter, Nadia Shaya, April 10 at Shriners Hospital in Cincinnati. The 3-year-old left Balad Air Base, Iraq, with more than 45 percent of his body burned from a stove fire at his home and Airmen and medics have helped nurse him back to health. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ken LaRock)
Al Amreeki receives a stuffed toy from his mother, Amil, April 10 at Shriners Hospital in Cincinnati. The 3-year-old left Balad Air Base, Iraq, with more than 45 percent of his body burned from a stove fire at his home and Airmen and medics have helped nurse him back to health. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jeannie Masters)
by Laura McGowan
88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
4/11/2008 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFPN) -- Since 3-year-old Al Amreeki left Balad Air Base, Iraq, with more than 45 percent of his body burned from a stove fire at his home, he has come a long way due to treatment from Airmen and medics throughout the world.
The young boy's uncle brought him to the Air Force Theater Hospital in Iraq Jan. 25, and since then the boy has traveled aboard a C-17 Globemaster III to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and onto Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and finally arriving by commercial air bus to Lunken Field Airport in Cincinnati March 21.
His uncle left after visiting a couple of days when he was told the child would not likely survive. But Capt. Michael Riegler, a critical care nurse with the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadronat Balad AB, said when the boy didn't show signs of giving up, they decided to do as much as they could to help him survive.
"To have him come all the way to the United States to (Shriners Hospitals for Children -- Cincinnati) is an amazing feeling," Captain Riegler said.
During the 48-hour flights from Iraq to the United States, Captain Riegler along with a respiratory therapist continued to monitor him and upon arrival, his condition was stable. Getting the child to Cincinatti required weeks of coordination with military leaders for the medical airlift, Iraqi leaders for permission to leave the country, and the secretary of Defense was also involved in getting him here.
Since his time at Cincinnati Shriners Hospital, Al Amreeki's condition has continued to improve. He has had skin graft surgery and the nurses there are reteaching him to use his hands and will soon be getting him up to walk. He still can't interact with other children at this point because he is in an infection-controlled room and unit. He does; however, get to come out to the nurses' station in his little red wagon. After scrubbing up and donning a gown and gloves, his mother, the nurses and his interpreter play with him.
He loves his Thomas the Train toys and other toys that are provided by the hospital. On April 9, he was drinking a soda from a straw, giving high fives, blowing kisses and laughing when a Wright-Patterson AFB videographer juggled colorful balls in the air to his delight.
When prompted by his interpreter, Nadia Shaya, he would sing the ABC song and count.
He also said, "Hi, Captain Mike" for the cameraman, referring to Captain Riegler. His interpreter said he had been talking about "Captain Mike" a lot.
"They love us here and take good care of us," said his mother, Amil, of the hospital staff.
