I cared for insurgents frequently. In our hospital, they were injured men like any other, and they received the same high quality of care we gave every patient. In the past, in civilian hospitals, I had treated drunk drivers lying in a stretcher and in the next room were the families they had mowed down on the highway. It was hard to be impartial. It was hard to take care of them. But as their doctor, it wasn't my place to judge. It was my job to care for them.
at work at Balad Air Base
It was similar taking care of insurgents. There was one day that was particularly hard. I took care of a girl who had been burned. An insurgent threw a firebomb through the window of her home, just because her father was an Iraqi soldier. Later, when her attacker was captured, I was his surgeon. It was incredibly difficult.
I suppose in the end, I am thankful that, as a doctor, my decisions are so simple. Life and health are the good guys; pain, suffering and death are the bad guys. Every day, I get up and try to fight that fight. My life is simple. I am very fortunate.Let's pause here. When we return, Chris will tell us about his life on the Balad air base and what it all means. I hope you'll join us.
~~~
Part one of my interview with Chris
*This book was officially released on November 1, 2009 but is available now only at www.coppolathebook.com. A wider release (traditional book stores, online retailers and libraries) is scheduled for February 1, 2010.
Coppola: A Pediatric Surgeon in Iraq and NTI Upstream have partnered with non-profit organizations, donating 10% of all book sales on www.coppolathebook.com. The 10% donation will help support these non-profit organizations as they continue to provide funding and services throughout the world. Each organization is chosen to exemplify the book's themes of global health care, child humanitarian assistance, and troop welfare. Our current partners include: War Child (www.warchild.us) - November, and War Kids Relief (www.warkidsrelief.org) - December.
NTI Upstream is a Chicago-based publisher dedicated to the release of nonfiction that advances the conversation about issues of health and social welfare. Additional information at www.ntiupstream.com.
1 | 2
