Amil Fadhil

In 2007, 58-year old Amil Fadhil was riding to work in Baghdad in a car her husband was driving when a sniper’s bullet shattered the windshield. The bullet struck Amil in the face alongside her nose and exploded inside her mouth, tearing her tongue and shattering her jaw. In addition to the extensive structural trauma to her face, glass from the windshield lodged in each of Amil’s eyes, making it impossible for her to see. Doctors feared that over time the coarse glass would damage her eyes irreparably and blind her permanently. But there is good news.

Direct Aid Iraq has partnered with an international NGO to provide Amil with the medical care she needs to see again. She has had two surgeries (one on each eye) to remove the glass, one paid for by the international NGO and the other paid for by DAI. The first surgery was only moderately successful, resulting in blurred vision because of irreparable damage to the eye. On June 18, Amil had her second operation. When doctors removed the dressing covering her eye, Amil saw light where there had only been darkness. “Thank God there is light,” she said. And because she loves to read, the first thing she did was to reach for a newspaper to read it.

It is not yet clear to what extent Amil’s vision will be restored. She will come to know this over a period of time, as her eye recovers from surgery.

Amil sends her thanks to everyone who has supported her through DAI. With your help, she is now able to see again, and her eyesight, inshallah, will continue to improve.

After Amil recovers from this eye surgery, she will undergo additional surgeries to repair the structural damage to her face. DAI will stay in touch with her and will provide updates on her progress.