An Adventure
by Sunshine
This post was written by Sunshine for her blog “Days of my Life” and cross posted to the Olivebranch Network
Thursday, April 28, 2005
In 2000-2001 I had a problem with my eyes called Diplopia. It happened in school and I would see near objects doubled. Anyway, the ophthalmologist at the time recommended some eye exercises. He said there is nothing to worry about and after a few weeks I was cured. But in 2003-2004 I had Diplopia again but this time It was the worst. Suddenly I lost the ability to read and also saw objects doubled up to 12 meters away from me. So I could not do the eye exercises because I could not see any near objects. The doctor said it would take a long time until the eye muscles repaired, but I still wanted to pass my mid year examinations and refused to postponed them. I had to study blindly. My mother who started to read to me; even the mathematics and algebra. I had to give the results blindly too. My doctors’ advice was to look for another opinion.
My mother thought we might get help from American army’s medical staff. We phoned them on the hot line for seeking medical advice. They asked us to come to the airport where their hospital was. We went there early in the morning on January 2, 2004. A soldier out side the airport asked us about the reason behind our coming to a military area, when we told him we need a doctor he made some calls, then we were allowed to enter but of course only after we were inspected.
We waited in the camp for 4 hours where every one was kind and friendly. My mother was pregnant and had a very bad fever that day. She became so tired because of the uncomfortable seat in the camp. After along wait; a soldier came and asked my mom if to sit in their military car. She accepted and we went to a much bigger camp which was the hospital. The soldier asked us to wait in the vehicle and he left for a while. Then he returned with shocking news. The doctor had refused to meet us because of the new policy that they would only see people injured by the military forces.
My father was shocked and his eyes filled with tears.
We were seeking diagnosis only not treatment, but we could not meet the doctor even for his advice. When we were taken to the gate everybody (soldiers) were sorry for us and gave us a hug. My mother pretended to be stronger and tried to understand the policy but in the evening she bust in tears.
For me it was an adventure, I made friendships with the soldiers. I really liked a soldier named Danielle she was beautiful with a cheerful face. We had a long talk together and I will never forget her. Anyway, my grandparents who live in Baghdad called and said they had read in the newspaper an announcement about a French ophthalmologist who was coming to Baghdad in February.