Still fail to understand as to what kind of a soceity we live in...is the world fit enough for human beings to live.....how sickening a man can become to douse a 4 year old kid in gasoline and set him afire....even animals dont do that.....But I would like to thank Dr Peter Grossman and his team of surgeons who have done so much for this kid free of cost.....his physical scars can be healed over a period of time....his mental scars needs to be taken care of...I would also like to thank US govt for providing visa to this family to stay in US....this world is going through the worst crisis of its time...we have wars in Africa...hunger in Sudan, Zimbabwe etc....terrorism in Afghanistan,Iraq, etc....hell lot of problems....future looks so bleak for mankind

Arwa, thank you so much for your dedication to this story, the family, Youssef and bringing it all to light. I watched your stories last year at this time and was so moved myself. Look at the changes in this boy, the confidence, the laughter, the joy. I read where you are not moved to tears very often, and you hae seen your share of killings, ied aftermath, imbed with the troops, and covering stories in places no one would want to go. This is what makes you a superior journalist, telling the story and telling it in a way that touches moves and inspires people. Plus your atuthenticity shows in that blog. You have been changed by this very story and it takes a lot to do that to a journalist. I think the world is so proud of you for stepping outside the constaints of your job to tell the reals story where you are part of the story, and that's ok because if not for you and others at CNN or the doctors or the LA community that's accepted Youssef and family, this would have never happened. Thank you arwa for telling the story the way it needs to be told

Do you believe that whatever noble gesture you do for yousuif would be of any real significance compared to the overwhelming catastrophe that the Iraqi people are now suffering as result of the arrogant policymakers of your country U.S.A?

To Mohamed Maouf Ibrahim; in as much as many people suffer daily in Iraq, and all over the world, I dont believe anyone involved in helping Yousuif and his family do this for the sake of the "noble gesture". I believe everyone involved saw a child who was singled out to suffer, for no reason at all, and that they saw an oppourtunity where as they could help him to maybe get back some of the childhood, the innocent life that was taken from him. I understand your point Mohamed, but one life at a time, wouldnt you also help Yousaif, or similiar human being in such a desperate situation, if you could?

Shame on you for making a grownup 34 year old Lebanese man cry like an 8 year old kid. Let's not pseudo-intellectualise or politicize on the issue. It is touching....and thank you for constantly putting us back to the ground like you do.

May God bless this little boy and his family .....and keep them safe. And a million thank yous to the doctors and surgeons who helped this beautiful child and to the news correspondents for telling us about Youssif. Such a brave little boy. I hope he does become a surgeon.

USA and the world is in need of the quick acting kind souls like you. May Allah (our Creator) bless you immensely for your noble action.

Mohamed Maouf Ibrahim, Peace be upon you...

Mohamed Ibrahim, you are correct , we should have let the man gas more people, HE DID GAS HIS OWN PEOPLE right ? 30,000 of them ? Yeah , yet we have arrogance in our policymakers..... yes, no problem with the gassing part RIGHT ?

Dear Mohemed Maouf Ibrahim
Stuff it. You are better off now that with Hussein. Crybaby.

Mohamed – Yes! You can't save the world in 1 day. Small steps lead us there. The question, my friend, is whether you are willing to make those steps.

Dear Arwa,I thank you so much for keeping us informed on Youssif's progress.I am so happy he is getting the care he needs.You brought tears to my eyes reading your story and thinking of all the kids in Iraq and around the world who are the innocent victims because adults are not using their consience to make the world a better place.Finally, if we can't fix it all at once, let at least one kid at a time be helped.Youssif is a person, not just a number.
Best wishes for you and I hope you stay safe.

the say the conscience is an open wound that only the truth can heal.for a man to light up a young boy old enough to be his son shows that he is not supposed to live in this earth.what are the authorities doing to ensure this does not re – occur again in history?

This really makes me wonder...Are there any bad guys who will learn anything from this?? Or they will make us wonder that who will be next??
What kind of world are we preparing our children for?? I guess we have too many questions today but very few answers that will make us happy.

you are a rare gem Arwa for giving reassurance of a good life to the the little boy and his family. all praises to Dr. Peter for extending his expertise to the little boy. we would appreciate to read more progress reports on them.

That video is so cute especially hearing Youssif speak. Even cuter is the end when both (he and his sister) hit the dance floor :) How I wish I could join them in their jumping around on the dance floor. Here's wishing Youssif and his family all the best and may there be no scars to remind him of his dreadful predicament.

Dear Arwa Damon,

The story of Youssif is touching the hearts and minds of all in the world today because of your experience in journalism. Frankly speaking, I am a father of a four year old boy whom I so dearly love, the same age at which Youssif was when he met those darkest hours and his story began.

Your story has brought nothing but tears, I mean constant tears each time I read it. This saying of yours made me cry heavily...What kind of a world do we live in where someone can douse a four-year-old in gasoline and set him on fire? I couldn't control my emotions when Youssif asked if you were working on his story.

Arwa, you do really go for the career you have. May you live long to see Youssif become a doctor as he has planned to.

Thanks for the job well done.

Arwan,

I have been following this story since you higlighted it on CNN, I must say I was moved by the story of Youssif. I have admired Youssif's courage to pull through the hard times. Not many of us would have the strength to so.

Keep up the good work Arwan!

If I could, I would wrap my arms around that little boy, take his pain away, and hold him forever.

Mohamed Maouf am really dissappointed with your remarks but not supprised, you would rather this little boy died and nobody came through to assist him!.Be humane my friend and appreciate something for once.How can a whole adult gas a 4 year old little boy, thats terrible to imagine.yet you don't see anything wrong with that.

"An eye for an eye, and soon the whole world is blind", quoted Gandi. Today's world event is shown us that peace, not merely the absence of war, is jeopardized. The only person who benefit for that are politicians while the civilians are suffering, especially the innocent kids. We, for global justice, need to react immediately and peacefully to build a peaceful society with accountable politicians. Thanks for any persons who care and save the kids' future! It is a step to build the future generation with full of hope and peace.

I think it is a noble gesture and noble act of those who are willing and have helped this little boy get over this. If this had come from the American administration I would agree with you, Mohamed Maouf Ibrahim, but this a message from the the common folk, people who do not want others to suffer, people who do good, when they know what it is. I am sure many of those people would not like to see Iraq suffer the way it currently is suffering

A big thank you to all who have helped Youssif become a child again...

I read everything everybody says, and being a doctor, I am so pleased and proud to know that my profession can and does some good work ,all over the world, every day.
this is not a question about right and wrong, but a question of helping those in need – and it is good to read some heart warming stories now and again among all the stories of murder and disaster.

"Do you believe that whatever noble gesture you do for yousuif would be of any real significance compared to the overwhelming catastrophe that the Iraqi people are now suffering as result of the arrogant policymakers of your country U.S.A?" – Mohammed Maouf Ibrahim

I do not usually read comments; I respect what you said Mohammed, but I do not think it is appropriate in this context. You must realize that such a noble lady has extended her help to an Arab child probably from your neighbourhood, and probably criticized for it in her own.

Arwa, Thank you very much for not just "thinking outside the box", but putting ur thoughts & heart in action in this disturbing yet developing story.

Chapeau á toi Arwa!

It really breaks my heart to look at this kid. I wonder what type of crime this boy has committed to deserve this.... He is only crime is to be born in this dark region...the Middle East...... I am sure many others may have similar or even worse wounds than Yousef, but as one of you rightly said, we have to take it one step at a time. I thank everyone who is taking a part in helping this boy.
Although I disagree with many of the actions taken by the U.S. Government in the Middle East, I lived in the states 20 yrs ago and I really appreciate how companionate the American people are. I have a great respect for your great nation. My god bless you all.

Well I believe this is a good step in the right direction. Its too bad this had to happen in the first place but I'm glad Youssif is getting treated and being so well taken care of.

what agreat inspirational story.i look forwrd to hearing more on this couragous little man's story.

Really heartouching. My prayers are with you.

I too am touched by this story and wish I could play with Youssif and reassure him and his family that there are people, including Americans, who love and care and try to help in what way they can.

It's so instinctual to be drawn to an innocent child with love in our hearts – but whoever did this was once an innocent child himself. What has he been through to bring him a terrible ability to hurt this innocent child so? That is our job – to help all people with this hate in their hearts that must start when they were a child too. Judge not – we do not know what experiences bring people to this horrible capacity but we have to find a sympathy for everyone TO CURE THE HATE WHERE IT EXISTS. This is why we must work for peace, so no child grows into an adult capable of this horror on another human being. Those of you who are so bitter, what do you do to stop war and it's evil? Have you joined Amnesty International for instance and put in work toward peace where your mouth is? Work toward the solution, someday when enough people do maybe there will be no more wars,,, that must at least be our goal.

Arwa,

Great story. Thanks for sharing your private moments with Youssif. God Bless you, Youssif and family, and people like Dr. Grossman.

Thank you Arwa Dawn for whatever you wrote about Youssif and your concerns towards him. It was very interesting for me at least. You know well that Youssif's storey is a drop in a bucket. Now there are thousands of Youssif-like-people in Gaza, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq and many African countries. Unfortunately many rulers in Western countries just think about themselves. They try to provide conditions in these countries so that they could sell their armoured vehicles, tanks, fighting planes, bombs and weapons and rub the cultures and resources of these countries. Now it is about sixty years that Israel is busy in turturing and killing poor Palestians. Israelis and Palestinians could live together very peacefully and the rulers in other countries also could encourage them to do so. But they don't do that , only for their own benefits and nothing else. These rulers should realize that whatever they're doing for the time being in these countries, they would harvest a very bad crop in the future.

Arwa,

BRAVO!

Thank everyone involved!

Arwa - as many have already said, what a great follow-up story; I remember admiring (as I cried) your original coverage.

The highest possible praise for all involved is merited, including everyone from whoever made the original decision to let the boy and his family into the US right up to the dedicated medical professionals working so tirelessly and generously. And there are his family members, too, who have had to endure almost unimaginable strain.

I'll be looking forward toward your paired stories about his admission to medical school - and his graduation from it!