Separated by an ocean and a war, two fathers who have never met are now in frequent contact, bonded by their love for their daughters.
Simon Frost, a real estate developer in Washington, D.C., and Amjad Abu Zaiter, a former taxi driver from northern Gaza, are communicating several times a day.
They share a connection through their daughters, who both suffer from a rare neurological disease called Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC).
This condition can cause seizures, temporary episodes of paralysis, and difficulty breathing.
Frost and Abu Zaiter started communicating directly about a month ago after connecting on social media.
They primarily use WhatsApp with the help of online translations between Arabic and English, as well as Facebook Messenger.
Frost, speaking over the phone, shared his empathy, saying, “I found out Julia was in trouble. I understand what they’re going through.” His daughter, Annabel, struggles despite the best medical care, experiencing difficulty walking and talking, and regular episodes of reduced consciousness resembling seizures.
Under Frost’s initiative and connections in Washington, he has successfully secured life-saving medications for Julia and is working to relocate her from Gaza.
Frost’s efforts, in collaboration with organizations like the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), have been crucial in getting Julia the necessary medications.
Abu Zaiter described the worsening of Julia’s symptoms during the recent conflict, highlighting the challenges of accessing medical care and basic necessities under siege conditions.
The recent arrival of medications has provided some relief, with Julia shown in a recent photo seemingly waving to the camera.
Frost and Abu Zaiter are now working towards evacuating Julia from Gaza to ensure she receives adequate medical treatment.
However, their efforts have faced obstacles, including the closure of the Rafah border crossing by the Israeli government, which has halted crucial aid and prevented many from leaving the conflict zone.
Despite these challenges, Frost remains determined, seeking support from U.S. officials and international medical specialists to facilitate a medical evacuation for Julia.
The humanitarian crisis affecting Julia and others like her has sparked global concern, with organizations and medical groups rallying support for their cause.
The focus remains on the urgency of providing medical care to children affected by circumstances beyond their control.
