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Reflections On Remedy Mission VIII And The Vision You’re Living Out

January 22, 2012 by Cody · Leave a Comment 

A photo of the fantastic 5.
As I write this, I’m driving away from Remedy Mission VIII. Just hours ago, we were in the hospital waiting for our 16th child to come out of the operating room.

This mission’s last child was a little baby boy named Younis.

Younis came 400 miles to get to Remedy, but the drive took it’s toll and Younis—just 2 months old—came down with a fever. Every day we put him on the schedule for surgery, but every day we had to cancel because his fever wouldn’t break. Some days it would break in the middle of the night, but by the time we could rush to the hospital to operate the fever had returned. This continued until the very last day of the mission. This time his fever broke for good, giving us just enough time to give Younis the lifesaving surgery for which he had traveled so far.

These are the stories of Remedy.

I also had the privilege of telling Ali’s story this mission, but it wasn’t just Ali who you helped us save this mission. You saved Amjed, Zainab, Alawi, Zain, and so many more.

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This past week I’ve been reflecting more on the lives of these children and the life and vision of Martin Luther King Jr. In between surgical days I re-listened to some of his sermons, trying to once again stir my heart for the things that stirred his.

I was humbled by the devotion and the vision that he carried throughout his life, right up until his assassination. He maintained an astounding vision of God and his fellow man, one that led to his unparalleled passion for justice and peace.

King reminded me once again that there comes a point when silence is betrayal.

And so he shouted out for justice, equality and love. He spoke up for the broken, the poor, the ones affected by unjust war and the ones who had no voice of their own.

And people listened. We’re still listening.

This week I’m profoundly grateful for the life of Martin Luther King Jr. And I’m also profoundly grateful for you.

You see, these Remedy Missions can’t happen without you. In our writings we use the word “I” and “we” a lot but truth-be-told, I can’t think of one thing “I’ or “we” have done apart from you.

Because of that, together we’re breaking the silence. You’re bringing Remedy Missions to cities all over Iraq and because of that you’re saying to the people of Iraq “You are not alone. We are in this together.”

And they’re listening.

Thank you for not reducing the vision and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. to a yearly quote, but for committing to live it out by saving the lives of children like Ali and Younis. Thank you for Remedy Mission VIII!

We’re just two weeks away from our next Remedy Mission….stick with us!

Cody Fisher is the co-founder and Development Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He moved to Iraq in 2007 where he met his wife and since then they've been waging peace and mending hearts across Iraq. His passions are photography, peacemaking, and food that doesn't come out of a can. You can follow him on Twitter: @candmfisher.

“Thank you for saving me!”—Ali Abdul, 12 Year-Old Future Heart Surgeon

January 21, 2012 by Cody · Leave a Comment 

If you’ve been following Ali’s story, you’ll be happy to know he is doing extremely well! Remedy Mission VIII is almost at an end, but Ali’s last words for the camera were expressions of gratitude—thank you for saving him!

In case you missed them, go check out more photos/videos of Ali and his friends on our Twitter stream.

Cody Fisher is the co-founder and Development Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He moved to Iraq in 2007 where he met his wife and since then they've been waging peace and mending hearts across Iraq. His passions are photography, peacemaking, and food that doesn't come out of a can. You can follow him on Twitter: @candmfisher.

After Only 26 Hours, Ali Is Out Of The ICU!

January 20, 2012 by Cody · Leave a Comment 

Ali and his mother sit together after Ali's successful surgery.
Does this look like a boy who just had an open heart surgery 26 hours ago? I didn’t think so!

I got a phone call from Ali early this morning telling me not to bother looking for him in the ICU anymore. I walked into the hospital to find him walking around in the ward!

Not only that, but he was already asking me when he can go home. Ali still really wants to be a doctor, so maybe one day he’ll understand how important this time is in the hospital.

But I love that he’s still a 12 year-old boy who can’t wait to go home and play soccer with his friends. At this rate, who knows, he could even be home by tomorrow!

Cody Fisher is the co-founder and Development Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He moved to Iraq in 2007 where he met his wife and since then they've been waging peace and mending hearts across Iraq. His passions are photography, peacemaking, and food that doesn't come out of a can. You can follow him on Twitter: @candmfisher.

Breaking News: Ali Made It Through Surgery!

January 19, 2012 by Cody · Leave a Comment 

A photo of Ali recovering in ICU.
Ali was just brought out of the operating theater and into the ICU—with a mended heart!

The next 24 hours will be absolutely crucial for Ali, though. The operation was a complete success, but now we have to wait to see how his heart and the rest of his body will respond.

I ran into the ICU so I could take the above photo of Ali and show it to his mother. She was ecstatic to see her little boy!

Who knows what will happen next—Ali could be up walking around as soon as tomorrow!

Cody Fisher is the co-founder and Development Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He moved to Iraq in 2007 where he met his wife and since then they've been waging peace and mending hearts across Iraq. His passions are photography, peacemaking, and food that doesn't come out of a can. You can follow him on Twitter: @candmfisher.

Ali Is In Surgery!

January 18, 2012 by Cody · Leave a Comment 

A photo of Dr. William Novick operating on Ali.
I got to the hospital this morning only to find out Ali had just been wheeled into the operating room for surgery.

I went to see how Ali’s mother was doing and she was surrounded by a group of women—all with enormous smiles on their faces. I asked why they were all smiling and they said it’s because Ali is getting his heart fixed!

12 years of waiting for a lifesaving heart surgery…I’d be all smiles too!

Ali should be coming out of the operating room within the next few hours. We’ll let you know how it goes!

Cody Fisher is the co-founder and Development Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He moved to Iraq in 2007 where he met his wife and since then they've been waging peace and mending hearts across Iraq. His passions are photography, peacemaking, and food that doesn't come out of a can. You can follow him on Twitter: @candmfisher.

Ali Calls His Dad To Tell Him He Is Getting His Heart Fixed Tomorrow!

January 17, 2012 by Cody · Leave a Comment 

A photo of Ali Abdel calling his dad to share about his upcoming surgery!
Ali’s days in the hospital got a whole lot more exciting once the doctors told him that tomorrow’s his turn to get his heart fixed!

What’s the first thing he did when he heard that? He grabbed the phone and called Dad.

Ali is just hours away from getting his heart mended—get ready!

Cody Fisher is the co-founder and Development Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He moved to Iraq in 2007 where he met his wife and since then they've been waging peace and mending hearts across Iraq. His passions are photography, peacemaking, and food that doesn't come out of a can. You can follow him on Twitter: @candmfisher.

Ali’s Heroes Join Together To Save His Life

January 16, 2012 by Cody · Leave a Comment 

A photo of Ali hanging out with a few of his heroes - local cardiac doctors.
Did you ever get a chance to meet one of your personal heroes?

Given Ali’s dream of becoming a heart surgeon, spending all day surrounded by heart doctors was like spending an entire day hanging out with his heroes. Ali has never wanted to be a doctor as badly as he does right now! But without a heart surgery within the next few days, Ali will never be able to grow up strong enough to make that a reality.

Today, Ali was taken in for more tests so the doctors can fully understand his rare heart defect. Essentially, part of Ali’s heart never completely formed, so his heart needs to be repaired in a way that will help him grow strong enough to go back to school and get back to being a kid.

Thankfully, a heart surgery exists that can do exactly that.

I asked Ali if he’s still excited for his heart surgery and he responded even more enthusiastically “Yes – YES!” Who wouldn’t want a surgery that could put all of their dreams back within reach?

Cody Fisher is the co-founder and Development Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He moved to Iraq in 2007 where he met his wife and since then they've been waging peace and mending hearts across Iraq. His passions are photography, peacemaking, and food that doesn't come out of a can. You can follow him on Twitter: @candmfisher.

Meet Ali!

January 15, 2012 by Cody · Leave a Comment 

A photo of Ali in a doctor's coat and stethoscope.
A lot of you met Ali already, when he welcomed you to Remedy.

Whether he’ll admit it or not, he’s the ringleader and the brains behind The Fantastic Five. When Ali and The Fantastic Five aren’t by my side, it usually means I’m in the OR or in a meeting, in which case Ali will patiently sit right outside the door separating us. Just last night he called me over a dozen times on my phone, asking how I was doing and exhausting all of the Arabic I know.

Ali playfully checks a boy's heart with his stethoscope.
What excites me the most about my friend Ali, though, is what he wants to be when he grows up. He wants to become a heart surgeon.

Yesterday we sat down and talked about his heart defect and I asked him why he wanted to become a heart surgeon. He responded, “I want to save others like me.”

If all goes well, Ali is just days away from his lifesaving heart surgery, where he’ll be saved by a heart surgeon and his team. I asked Ali if he’s excited for his surgery and he gave me a thumbs up and said “Yes – Yes!”

Ali is one day closer to being saved and getting the chance to save others…stay tuned!

Cody Fisher is the co-founder and Development Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He moved to Iraq in 2007 where he met his wife and since then they've been waging peace and mending hearts across Iraq. His passions are photography, peacemaking, and food that doesn't come out of a can. You can follow him on Twitter: @candmfisher.

Little Amjed is The First One in and Out of Surgery!

January 12, 2012 by Cody · Leave a Comment 

A photo of Amjad resting up in ICU after his heart surgery.

Amjed is the first child to breeze through his heart operation and begin his recovery in the ICU today! Right now he has the entire ICU to himself but it’s about to get crowded fast. More are on their way!

Cody Fisher is the co-founder and Development Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He moved to Iraq in 2007 where he met his wife and since then they've been waging peace and mending hearts across Iraq. His passions are photography, peacemaking, and food that doesn't come out of a can. You can follow him on Twitter: @candmfisher.

Apart From Us Interrupting Her Nap, Deeya Is Doing Great!

October 25, 2011 by matt · 1 Comment 

Deeya after being woken up during her nap.
Look who we just visited!

Deeya’s scar is now over 14 months old, and her mother happily reported that her daughter has started school and is doing extremely well. She used the Kurdish phrase joolay zora, meaning “she moves a lot” to describe how active her daughter has become.

We missed out on that activity during our visit, though, because we arrived in the middle of Deeya’s nap. I’d love to show you a photo of her sweet smile, but sometimes kids just don’t feel it.

Our inclination is to show you extremes: big, beaming smiles or desperately needy faces. But we all know that isn’t a true representation of most kids on most days. We have good days and bad days, but the important thing is the fact that now, thanks to you and our capable doctors, Deeya will actually live to have days, both good and bad!

Deeya shows off her scar
Her life has been saved, and she is now healthy to be as joyful and irritable as any other child. Thank you for making that possible, and thank you for loving these children with us – even when we show you their groggy photos.

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Our upcoming Remedy Mission VII will give you the opportunity to love even more sick children. Join us in counting down to the first day of surgery on Nov 6th!

As PLC's Press Secretary, Matt Willingham is bent on leveraging words and media to connect hearts and minds to Iraqi children in need. On the side, he likes reading old books, devouring the great food his wife cooks up and dabbling in DSLR video work. He's also mildly obsessed with Twitter: @mehtin.

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