Iraqi Refugee Interview of Oakland family

This is the story of a family with extreme medical problems caught in the war and unable to receive medical care in Iraq any longer. They make it to the USA and find themselves living in a dangerous neighborhood and trying to learn the medical procedures to get care. This family spoke no English. They ranged in age from mother and sister in their 40’s to their daughters in their 20’s and a son 12. They all suffered a genetic blood disease. Because of their disease they had to go regularly to get blood transfusions and other medical care in Iraq. It became impossible to function after the US invasion as transportation shut down, and the hospitals had no medical supplies to offer them. They finally were able to immigrate to the U.S. They told us that many people who had severe health problems before the war either died or managed to find a country to take them.