Injured Iraqi girl captures U.S. medic's heart

Courtesy Photo | Baghdad, Iraqi -- Sgt. Tracy E. Perfors poses with Hawra in the Camp Falcon troop medical clinic June. Hawra has been receiving physical therapy at the TMC for the past eight months and is currently recovering from her home in east Rashid but she still walks with a slight limp.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

09.13.2005

Courtesy Story

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4th Brigade Combat Team PAO

BAGHDAD -- By the time she was 15 years old, Hawra had already suffered a lifetime of pain. Her father was killed by the old regime; then, one year ago, her sister was killed when she and Hawra were caught in a cross-fire between terrorists and Coalition Forces.

Hawra was trapped in the burning car, leaving her with severe burns on both her legs. She was taken to an Iraqi hospital, but after several unsuccessful skin grafts, her legs healed incorrectly in a bent-knee position. An Iraqi doctor had to break her knees in order to straighten her legs once again.

Hawra's case eventually came to the attention of a U.S. Army civil affairs unit working with the 1st Cavalry Division in February and she was taken to the military hospital in the International Zone for care.

After her release, Hawra returned home but continued to receive medical care from doctors and medics at the 4th Brigade Combat Team Falcon Troop Medical Clinic.

That's where Sgt. Tracy Perfors first met her.

Perfors, a medic assigned to C Company, 703rd Forward Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, said she walked into the aid station for work that day as she would any other.

"But this time, instead of being greeted by only sick and injured Soldiers, a small, wheelchair-bound Iraqi girl captured my attention," said the native of Montrose, Colo. "Though frail and small for a teenager, she was the most animated person in the waiting room. Her eyes shone brightly and her smile radiated as she laughed and joked with everyone in broken English."

Perfors was the only female medic on shift that day, so she spent the afternoon with Hawra assisting with her medical care. She listened as the little girl told stories of life in Iraq since Saddam and of living with her 11 brothers and sisters. Hawra raved about the chance to eat cheeseburgers and macaroni and cheese when she visited the aid station""it was the largest meal she ate all week," Perfors said.

Hawra also told Perfors about her dream of going to school in the fall and maybe one day having a family of her own.

"Hawra had captivated me," Perfors said. "I found it astonishing that a person with her medical problems and family history could remain so upbeat."

Perfors continued to work with her week after week when she came to the aid station, and with each visit she amazed the sergeant further. Each week Hawra returned with good news of her continued recovery, as she built up enough strength in her muscles and brittle bones to walk short distances around her home.

Hawra's steady recovery did not last long, however.

Perfors returned to the aid station one day to discover that Hawra had broken her hip. She had been brought to the aid station, but she was going to have to be evacuated to the hospital for surgery.

"It struck me that although Hawra was in great pain, she had remembered to bring some pictures she had promised to share with her friends at the clinic," Perfors said. "At times, she would be in tears from the pain of her broken hip, yet she continued to talk and joke to keep everyone else optimistic."

By this time Hawra and Perfors had become friends, so the medic insisted on riding in the back of the ambulance to keep the girl comfortable during the convoy to the hospital.

Hawra is currently recovering at her home in east Rashid but she still walks with a slight limp.

Soldiers from the civil affairs team with 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, 4th BCT still visit Hawra to make sure her recovery is coming along. During their periodic visits they also deliver humanitarian assistance packs to her family. Perfors and other medics from the Camp Falcon Troop Medical Clinic often ride along on those patrols.

"Through her courage and unbeatable determination, Hawra continues to remind me of why the U.S. is in Iraq: to give the innocent people who have suffered under Saddam's regime a chance at a prosperous life," Perfors said.

• Date Taken: 09.13.2005
• Date Posted: 09.13.2005 17:23
• Story ID: 2998
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ