Adoption of Ala'a Eddeen

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The Adoption of Ala'a Eddeen is an

Iraqi boy, who could not walk because he suffered from cerebral palsy, by American Capt. Scott Southworth while he was deployed during the Iraq War.[1]

This case became a beginning of the growing campaign for bringing more disabled and orphaned Iraqi children to the United States.[2]

In 2007, CNN profiled Scott and Ala'a's story in its "Heroes: An All-Star Tribute". The story was chosen as one of 6 finalists.[3][4]

Scott Southworth

Before his

evangelical Christian Scott finished law school, and planned to run for district attorney's office after coming home from Iraq.[1]

Meeting and adoption

Scott Southworth was

disabilities. A few nuns cared for the children and also taught them to speak some English.[1]

During their visit to the orphanage the soldiers played with the children. They wanted to make the kids feel better, but it was also their way to forget the horror they faced every day on the streets of

were wounded, and one was killed. It was then that Scott first saw Ala'a. The boy, who lived in the orphanage since he was 4 years old, could not walk, but he dragged himself to Scott's side. The boy's English was limited, but he kept saying the word "bomb". Scott tried to assure the boy he was safe now.[1]

After the first visit to the orphanage soldiers kept coming back. The attachment between Southworth and Ala'a was growing. Thirty-one-year-old Scott looked at Ala'a as a younger brother, but for the boy Scott was "Baba," that is "Daddy" in Arabic.[1][5]

Southworth was informed by staff of the orphanage that within a year Ala'a would be transferred to a less hospitable institution prompting Scott to begin adoption proceedings.[1][5]

Iraqi law prohibits the adoption of Iraqi children

thunderstorms that remind him of bombs.[1]

When Southworth is asked why he chose Ala'a, he explains that it was Ala'a who chose him. "Ala'a really adopted me." - Scott says.[6]

In 2007

PBS,[8] and a presentation at St. Norbert College.[9]

Southworth asked Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton for help in bringing other disabled and orphaned children to the US.[2]

By 2009, 16-year-old Ala'a had become a United States citizen.

Southworth says:

Being upset just isn't enough. Sympathy just isn't enough. These kids need action, and we're in a position where we know these children, we know what can happen here in the United States if they're brought here, and we're going to do something about it.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "GI Saves Iraqi Boy in Long-Shot Adoption". Fox News. 25 December 2007. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  2. ^ a b c Christine Lagorio (July 9, 2007). "The Orphan He Couldn't Leave Behind.Soldier Helped One Of The Baghdad Orphans Years Ago — Can He Do It Again?". CBS News. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  3. ^ a b Gary Bauer (2007-11-22). "A Soldier's Thanksgiving". Human Events. Archived from the original on 12 July 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  4. ^ "CNN Heroes gallery final round 2007". CNN. November 26, 2007. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  5. ^ a b "U.S. Soldier Adopts Disabled Iraqi Boy National Guardsman Bonded With Abandoned Boy While On Duty in Baghdad". ABC News. March 24, 2005. Archived from the original on 2 February 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  6. ^ "U.S. Marines clamp down on Ramadi". The Seattle Times. February 21, 2005. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  7. ^ Blankenship, Janie (February 1, 2010). "Wisconsin Guardsman Adopts Iraqi Child". Veterans of Foreign Wars Magazine. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  8. PBS. February 1, 2008. Archived
    from the original on 10 March 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  9. ^ Guy Allen (November 9, 2009). "A Talk on the 'Culture of Death'". St. Norbert times. Retrieved 11 February 2011.[permanent dead link]

External links

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