All the Iraqis hate us.  They send their children out to make bombs.  Especially the girls, upon whom they place no importance at all.

Yup, we have all heard the stereotypes.  Everyone “knows” they are true, especially when they are uttered by some of the most respected “experts” on the subject and perpetuated in the media.

One man is single-handedly busting those stereotypes.  But he is not a media figure, or a professor, or a government official.  He is a father, and he has risked everything to save his baby daughter.  His name is unknown, since he fears for his life and the safety of his family, but he is Tabby's dad.

When Iraqi doctors could not help his tiny daughter, he sought the help of the Americans.  In fact, he trekked across Iraq to another place famous for its stereotypes:  Abu Ghraib prison, where a few people “proved” how awful the Americans really are.  But Tabby's dad didn't care - he had to take the chance to save his little girl.

Now, thanks to some Marines, Navy Cmdr. Dr. Louis Tripoli, and a lot of other people, Tabby and her dad have come even farther.  They are now both in America, where Tabby has undergone her first surgery to remove life-threatening blood tumors called hemangiomas.  In the process of preparing her for this surgery, doctors have discovered that she has more extensive medical issues (including a hole in her heart and congestive heart failure), which they hope to address soon.  (Dr. Tripoli's parents were also of great help in this journey - they travelled from their home in Pittsburgh to Jordan, where they were prepared to take Tabby on alone if her father was unable to get a visa to the United States.)

Says Dr. Tripoli's father, Dr. Charles Tripoli, “The Marines put their hearts and souls in this.  We also want to show our solidarity with the Iraqi people.”

Tabby's father puts things much more simply.  “The most important thing for me is my daughter. I would sacrifice everything for her.”

So far, one surgery down, at least two more to go, Tabby is doing well.  (And, at 11 months, she hasn't got much to say on the subject herself.  Yet.)  Maybe she will grow up to be a great leader, who will bring her people to peace and prosperity.  Maybe she will be an artist, or the winner of a Nobel Prize.  Or maybe she will just live a normal quiet life in her homeland, which alone will be enough to beat all the odds and change a few “known facts” on both sides of the ocean.