Iraqi Children Receive Equipment Assembled By Soldiers In The Field
Camp Striker, Iraq
A group of Iraqi children who were without wheelchairs now have their own wheels, thanks to the efforts of medics from the U.S. Army.
Fifteen kids now have their own wheelchairs that they received at the Radwaniyah Palace Military Ops Center recently. Medics working with the 101st Airborne assembled the different wheelchairs for a group named Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids.
1/33 Cavalry Regiment Soldiers with the 101st Airborne, Air Assault team discovered various children who were badly in need of wheelchairs during their patrols in the area. Soldiers with 3rd Civil Affairs Battalion that were attached to the 1/33 Cavalry Regiment arranged transportation for the children, and also helped adjust and fit the wheelchairs to the children.
“It is hard to visualize having to carry your child everywhere, and not having them be able to walk,” stated Captain James Phillips. Captain Phillips is the battalion surgeon for the 1/33 Cavalry Regiment. “I am excited we were able to make a difference here and able to help,” said
Captain Phillips.
There were children that received wheelchairs that have not been actually diagnosed, but that do require the wheelchairs to navigate and get around. These wheelchairs are a godsend and a blessing to these children.
Some of these children were teenagers, and it was a bit heartbreaking to see them just now getting their first wheelchairs, according to Captain Phillips. “It is heartwarming to see the quality of their life improve,” said Phillips.
“This is just a wonderful feeling that you have given our kids,” said Ihsaa Hadi. Ms. Hadi is the mother of one of the children, a 13-year-old son, who received a wheelchair.
