Florence native finds way to help Iraqi children

U.S. Army Capt. John Turner has served three tours in Iraq, but serving his country wasn’t enough. He wanted to help the people of Iraq as well.

Turner, commander of Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery, and his unit are responsible for a rural area along the Southern Diyala River Valley called South Burhiz. In 2006 and 2007, terrorists from al-Qaida displaced almost 75 percent of the villagers in the area to other parts of Iraq. Security has been restored, and many residents have returned — but to destroyed villages.

“There are quite a bit of handicapped children in Iraq, especially in South Burhiz,” Turner, a native of Florence and a 1998 graduate of South Florence High School, said. “For a number of different reasons, these children do not have proper wheelchairs. Many are carried by their parents for their entire lives. I always wanted to do something to help, but I never found a way.”

That was until he saw a segment on CNN International about a man named Brad Blauser and his charity, Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids. Turner looked up the charity on the Internet and
e-mailed Blauser.

Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids was created to meet the needs of disabled children in northern Iraq in August 2005 at the request of Lt. Col. David Brown. He and his soldiers had been in the city of Mosul and watched children pull themselves along the ground because their legs simply did not work.

Since then, more than 600 high-quality pediatric wheelchairs have been provided by donors and delivered to these children by soldiers serving in Iraq. The wheelchairs are designed by ROC Wheels (ROCWheels.org) specifically for children in developing countries with rough terrain environments.

Manufacturing is handled by Hope Haven International Ministries (HopeHaven.org). Supporters can provide a $3,500 wheelchair for only $350 (the cost of raw materials/ parts), with free shipping to Iraq, thanks to USAID and the Denton Program.

“People often ask me how they can help support the troops, what they can send to help out, and I finally have an answer,” Turner said.

In August, Blauser and some other advocates of the charity loaded wheelchairs onto a Chinook helicopter and flew to South Burhiz to meet with Turner and his unit. Soon after they arrived, Blauser, Turner and his soldiers began distributing wheelchairs.

“One child, Mustafa, absolutely refuses to leave his chair. His father, Faisel Ghazi, said he eats and sleeps in his chair and cries nonstop when he has to leave it,” Turner said.

“Watching my soldiers fit these children into their chairs was one of the most fulfilling and moving experiences of my life,” he said. “As chairs were adjusted to fit each child, Brad told the families through our interpreters, ‘This is the true America.’ The people in attendance that day saw a trait they might not have expected from the Americans, people they have been told are barbaric infidels out to destroy the Muslim faith and way of life. Our soldiers are some of the best in the world, not only because of their superior weapons or tactical knowledge but because they are caring, compassionate human beings.”

Turner said despite cultural and political differences, most Iraqis and Americans have much in common.

“Their hospitality is without comparison and they, like us, want nothing but the best for their families,” Turner said. “They are intelligent, kind and incredibly compassionate. Moreover, the children of this country are curious, smart and open-minded. They will be the future leaders of Iraq and the Middle East, and they will never forget the good deeds of the American soldier.”

Blauser agreed and said watching the children with their new wheelchairs is a moving experience.

“These are shared experiences we can all relate to in life — whether Iraqi or American, whether we speak English or Arabic,” Blauser said. “Helping disabled kids and watching them respond with enthusiastic, joyful expressions crosses cultural and social boundaries in a powerful way.

“These kids are the most innocent of all people, not knowing exactly what’s going on around them or understanding it. The bombs, the gunfire, the screaming, the hatred. And the worst part is they can’t run and hide when violence erupts because their legs won’t carry them. I honestly cannot think of kids who have it worse than disabled kids coping with life in a war zone. Truly, these are the ‘least of these’ in just about everybody’s book.”

How to help

For details about Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids and how you can donate, visit www.WheelchairsForIraqi Kids.com.

— Copy editor Traci Bridges can be reached at (843) 317-7325. Comment on this story at www.scnow.com.