October 4, 2007 - Ahmed and Mohamed will be the guests of honor during the Amanda Dunbar Art Auction & Exhibit (www.amandadunbar.com) benefit, held at the Belo Mansion in Dallas, Texas, tonight.

The World Craniofacial Foundation will host an art exhibit and auction by internationally recognized young artist Amanda Dunbar, at the Belo Mansion. The exhibit will be between 6:00-9:00 PM and is complimentary, but reservations are required. Dunbar Studios has graciously offered a percentage of the sales from the exhibit to benefit the Foundation’s efforts in providing advocacy and care to children with craniofacial abnormalities. In addition, the spotlight of the event will be the auction of an original work generously donated by Amanda Dunbar with 100% of the winning bid going directly to help the children served by the Foundation.

October 3, 2007 – Ahmed and Mohamed spent almost four years with the team at Medical City hospital, before, during and after their separation surgery, and many were like a second family to the boys. So, today marks a special occasion.

The boys arrive at the hospital in t-shirts and shorts – necessary gear for the Texas heat. They go up the elevator to the 6th floor of building C and get ready for their big entrance, all caught on film by the Good Morning America crew waiting inside with an anxious Dr. Salyer.

Mohamed walks right up to his pal Dr. Salyer, even gives him a high five. Dr. Salyer’s face lights up as he gives Mohamed a thorough look over and tells him how proud he is of Mohamed’s progress. Next, Dr. Salyer asks someone if they can assist Ahmed in walking over to him. “No need,” someone whispers. “He can walk to you.”

Now the small crowd grows quiet because Ahmed wasn’t walking when Dr. Salyer saw him last year in Cairo. Ahmed’s gate is slow and wavering, but he walks without assistance as he proudly shouts, “doc…tor… Salyer.”

After Dr. Salyer visits with the boys, and appears satisfied with the first of many checkups, Ahmed and Mohamed are shuttled to an off-site facility for a little physical therapy. They arrive just as cheerful as ever, and immediately make themselves comfortable on the colorful padded floor mats, where the real fun starts. The physical therapy team goes through several balancing exercises with swings and rocking equipment. There’s even time for Mohamed to ride a scooter and baby brother joins in on the fun.

October 2, 2007 - Ahmed and Mohamed Ibrahim were all smiles as they came through the American Airlines terminal a little after 8:00 p.m., after an almost 24-hour journey from Cairo with their mom and 14-month-old baby brother Taha. A small and curious crowd begins to gather around gate D16 to catch a glimpse of the six-year-old international celebrities.

Mohamed, sleepy, but excited, holds onto Sue Blackwood’s hand as he seems to sense the attention that is about to be poured upon him and brother Ahmed. Ahmed is lounging across the double stroller with his baby brother and appears to be a little excited himself.

As they come through the glass doors, the boys’ smiles are ear to ear. Ahmed and Mohamed are not bashful, passing out hugs and high fives to the news reporters, and giggling at just about anything that is said to them. Mohamed even poses a couple of times for pictures.

Their exit from the airport is quiet as they climb into an SUV and head to the hotel where their mom hopes to get a good night’s sleep.

The World Craniofacial Foundation has been directing and monitoring Ahmed and Mohamed’s care since their return to Cairo, Egypt, in November 2005. The boys are currently enrolled in Kindergarten classes to facilitate their special needs, and their physical therapy routine continues on a daily basis, along with ongoing medical care.

The boys will be in Dallas for two weeks, receiving post-operative medical evaluations to record their progress since the 34-hour marathon separation surgery, performed on October 11, 2003.

A Timeline of the Ahmed & Mohamed’s Journey…

If you would like to learn more about the World Craniofacial Foundation, please read our current newsletter.

For information about our upcoming fundraisers and newsworthy events, please see our events page.

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