A Letter from Doa'a's Dad

October 22,2022

Dear Joe,

First of all, I would like to re-introduce myself to you. I am Emad Al-Dalou, the father of Doa’a Al-Dalou. 

My daughter suffers from several medical maladies: arthrogyrposis since birth, with muscle contraction and abnormal gait and back deformity that’s caused by Rt. scolios. 

Doa’a needs to receive some highly specialized medical treatment so that she can live as normal of a life as she possibly can. 

But unfortunately, she’s not able to receive the specialized medical care she needs to have where we are living in the Gaza Strip of Palestine. 

And that was why we needed to take Doa’a to Kansas City in the United States to be treated when she was less than two years old.

During our first trip to Kansas City that occurred several years ago (which you greatly helped facilitate), my daughter was able to have an operation on her both of thighs that was successful. 

My family and I are very grateful for all the assistance we received from you, Congressman Dennis Moore, Elizabeth Alex, Heart to Heart International, and others for helping bring my daughter to America. And for helping Doa’a receive the medical care she greatly needed then.

Now I am afraid that I need to ask for your assistance once again, as Doa’a needs to return to Kansas City so that she can receive more medical treatments. 

She is currently suffering from a weakness of Bil. elbow flexior with severe flexion deformity in both wrists. And the treatment she needs to receive now is not available here in Gaza.

Thank you very much for all the help you have provided in the past with bringing Doa’a to Kansas City so that my daughter could obtain medical care. 

And thank you for any assistance you may be able to provide with bringing her back to your country so that she may receive more medical treatment.

I remember when you were at the airport in Kansas City years ago waiting to welcome me and my family to your country. 

And now, inshallah, I hope that in the near future, I will see you at the airport waiting to greet us once again. When we are able to return to America and complete what we started with regards to Doa’a receiving the medical treatment she needs to have in your advanced American hospitals.

I really appreciate any assistance you may be able to provide with making that happen for my daughter.

As-salamu alaykum (Peace be upon you), 

Emad Al-Dalou

Notes: This letter was sent to Joe via email.

And assistance with translating this message from Arabic into English was provided by Shadi Al-Dalou: Emad Al-Dalou’s son and Doa’a’s brother.