Keeping Salar's Hope Alive
This is a human story whose value is far beyond a personal story. It is an opportunity for people to embrace each other in the spirit of compassion and love to bridge the distance of social and cultural differences.
Latest:
Salar surgery was successfully done on 1/28/2010 by a team of wonderful doctors in Stanford and he was released from hospital on 2/10/2010, he returned back home on 5/14/2010. For more details please go to update page.
Sohrab Sohrabi
sohrab
Updates
ChildrenofIran.org helped Salar financially tremendously. We are very grateful for their contribution. They also advised us through the process. Their guidance and support was extremely valuable. Please joing me in their fund raising effort on April 24th in Southern CA for more details please visit: http://childrenofiran.org/
5/14/2010
Salar and his mom left on Friday. They got home in Karaj on Saturday. They are in good spirit with all the family and friends around them. 
با سلام و عرض ارادت حضور تمام دوستان عزیز و گرامی
با تشکر مجدد از تمامی شما عزیزان که در امر سلامتی فرزندم نهایت لطف و محبت را نسبت به ما داشتید. از خداوند بزرگ میخواهیم که همیشه سلامت و سعادتمند باشید و هر چه از او میخواهید بهترینها را به شما عطا فرمایند
به عرضه شما عزیزان و سرورانم میرسانم که روز جمعه ۱۴ ماه می از حضورتان مرخص میشویم و به ایران بر میگردیم
بدین وسیله خواستیم از شما خدا حافظی کنیم و بخواهیم که دعای خیرتان همیشه همراه ما باشد و بدانید که هیچ گاه شما را فراموش نمیکنیم و از شما میخواهیم که ما را فراموش نفرمائید.
به امید دیدار مجدد شما عزیزان چه در اینجا و چه در ایران
قربان شما
سالار و مستوره
4/23/2010
Salar is going to LA for the weekend and helping in a fundraising for children of Iran. He is staying in North LA/Glendale area, because other places is so expensive :)
4/22/2010
Dr. Dino Javaheri DDS examined Salar teeth and fixed seven cavities free of charge. We thank you him and his staff for being so kind to Salar and his mom.
Dino Javaeri, DDS
400 El Cerro Blvd.
Suite 101
Danville, CA 9452601731
Phone: 925. 837. 5889
Fax: 925. 837. 6419
4/16/2010
Salar is visiting the capital thanks to great hospitality of Jahanbin family, one of active memebers from Children of Persia Organization.
4/12/2010
Sima, one of our dear friends who support us in many ways through this process, organized a celeberation gathering for Salar in Modesto CA. We would like to thank her, her family, and all the people made this event happened. Special thanks to Cyrus and Linda for hosting this pary at their beautiful house.
Here are few pictures:
Also thank you very much to Yourik and his group for beautiful music. He has a great voice. We enjoyed it very much.
My dear friend Mehrdad was there too. Without his help we could not help Salar. His support was very crucial and important.
3/16/2010
Today, Salar visited his doctors in Stanford Clinic. Both Dr. Cheng and Dr. Rinsky were very happy with the results. They will visit him one more time before he returns home.
3/1/2010
Salar is improving slowly. He is going to physical therapy three times a week to Zhu's Neuro-Acupuncture Cennter in San Jose.
Last week Salar visited Golden Gate park in San Francisco.
He is still very very skinny and gets tired quickly, however the trend is positive and he is looking better everyday.
2/15/2010
Thank you to all of you for your follow ups and visits in the hospital or in my house.
Salar has started his physical therapy in a place in San Jose.
He has to go to these sessions 3 times a week. Most likely Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays in the morning.
Obviously I would take them, however if someone can give me a hand once in a while it would be great, anybody would like to volunteer to take them there and help them in translation please let me know.
These sessions would likely to be an hour and half.
2/10/2010
Salar is getting ready to leave the hosopital after 3 weeks.
2/9/2010
Salar is coming home tomorrow. Thank you very much for all of your support and follow ups. As you know because of his Marfan Syndrome he always has to be under care of doctors, but for now he is out ot immediate danger. We all together helped and saved a life. He could not make it without this surgery. His pulmonary function was extremely low at 20% now is getting much better and improving every day. Doctors have told us, if he takes care of his heart, he will have a normal life span. My family and I will continue to support him throughout his life and make sure he gets the medical attention he will deserve. If anybody would like to join us in this endeavor, we greatly appreciate.
Kind Regards
Sohrab
2/8/2010
Salar jaan is much better and soon will be out of hospital, maybe as soon as this Thursday or Friday.
2/6/2010
Salar is in very good condition and finally got off the BiPap. He picked up his game boy DS for the first time. He is drinking clear food and hopefully by tomorrow he is going to regular room and out of ICU.
Salar is walking around in the patio with my daughter Heliya, dear K1, Salar and his mom
2/5/2010
Salar is sitting for the first time. We all are so happy.
2/4/2010
Salar is doing much better, very alert today. Still no food and water through mouth. He was able to sit down on the chair. Salar's mom is very happy with his progress.
2/3/2010
Salar is slightly better. he has the BiPap mask. He is still on feeding tube. Hopefully soon he start breathing and eating, drinking on his own. He opens his eyes on and off and says something.
2/2/2010
Salar still in PICU, however today they remved the tubes and put a nose mask connected to a BiPap machine. He is doing much better now. He is breathing 50% on his own and 50% by the help of machine.
2/1/2010
Salar slightly better today however still under the same condition. Maybe tomorrow they start taking him off the tube and let him breath on his own or by a mask.
1/31/2010
Please continue your prayers and support. Salar was not feeling well today and doctors had to put him back on tubes again to help his breathing. The level of oxygen in his blood was low. He is still on feeding tube etc. for the fourth night in a row in ICU. He was sleeping all day and opened his eyes a few times.
1/30/2010
Today Salar is doing much better. They removed the tubes from his mouth and replaced it by a bipap that basically is a oxygen mask that will help him breath better. Time to time he opens his eyes and says something. 
1/28/2010
Surgery finished after 10 hours around 5PM pacific time. It was a successful operation. He is out of danger and is going to PICU on 2nd floor.
Thank you all for your your prayers and follow ups.
خدمت دوستان و هموطنان عزیز
با سلام و آرزی سلامتیتان و شادکامی برای تمامی شما عزیزان که از راه دور گرمی دستهای شما را با تمام وجود احساس کردیم و در زمانی که فکر میکردیم در عصری قرار گرفتیم که قلبها گرمی خود را از دست دادند شما دوباره ثابت کردید که هنوز در گوشه گوشه دنیا قلبهای هست که برای کمک به هموطنان خود میتپد. از دور دست و روی شما را میبوسیم و تا آخر عمر سپاس گذار محبتهای شما عزیزان هستیم. از خداوند خواهان پیروزی همه شما در تمام مراحل زندگی هستیم.
قربان شما،
مستوره - سالار
Latest...
Goal of Surgery
The goal of surgery is to halt the progression of the curvature and to make the spine balanced. Surgery does not completely straighten the spine, as such an extreme torsion from the present state of the spinal column can compromise the spinal cord. Rather, the surgeon aims to stabilize the curve or curves as they are, while maintaining spinal flexibility for the patient. This is achieved through the correction and stabilization of the curves via various techniques and implants.1/28/2010
Salar was taken to operation room 7am this morning and is expected to take all day. Mom is saying goodbye...
1/27/2010
Last day before surgery, Salar is getting ready for his big day.
Dr. Rinsky with Salar's mom
Dr. Cheng and Salar
1/24/2010
Salar and Sohrab
He is in very good spirit and closer to his surgery date. Please pray for him.
1/23/2010
Salar had a lot of supporters visiting him in Stanford. They had come as far as 3 hours away. They brought a lot of joy and happiness to him and his mom.
1/21/2010
Today we took Salar to Stanford Children Hospital, LPCH. We were there 6am for halo procedure. After that he had an echo done on his heart and several doctors visited him and checked him very carefully for a long time. He is in room 3535 on the 3East floor. You are welcome to visit him if you are in bay area or close by, please check with hospital for visiting hours 650-497-8900, under age of 16 are not allowed inside the hospital for visitation.
1/20/2010
Yesterday, team of doctors in Stanford met with Salar and his mom. They examined Salar very well. Salar is going to be admitted to hospital tomorrow Thursday 1/21/2010, and goes through one week of preparation for his surgery on 1/28/2010. Please visit him if you could.
1/18/2010
We took Salar to Disneyland for two days. He really liked it. I took him around on a wheelchair. Buzz Light Year was his favorite.
We also visited the beach:
1/14/10
Dear friends and family members,
Yesterday evening, Salar and his mom arrived to US. Thanks to all of you who have helped us through this journey. He is going to meet with his team of doctors early next week and start the procedures and preparation for his life saving surgery. In the meantime he would be visiting Disneyland over the weekend to bring his spirit up for upcoming surgery.12/23/09
Doostan I have an update about Salar and his mom:
We just heard from Dubai embassy that Salar’s mom visa has been approved. As you know since she is a teacher and considered government employee, her approval was relying on more administrative process. Usually this process takes 2 to 10 weeks; in this case approval came in a week!
Thank you to all of you who made this happen.
We are one step closer.
Looking ahead…
Jan 14th arrival to San Francisco
Admit to hospital Jan 21st
Surgery date Jan 28th12/17/09
Salar and his mom are back in Iran and are planning to come to San francsico by mid January. Salar will be admitted to hospital a week before surgery on 1/21/09.
12/16/09
Great news, U.S Embassy in Dubai has granted Visas for both Salar and his mom!
12/12/09 message from Salar in Dubai:
سلام عمو سهراب عزیز
حال شما چطوره؟ امیدوارم همیشه خوب باشید و خسته نباشید برای زحماتی که برای من میکشید. امیدوارم یک روزی بتونم جبران کنم. از قول من از تمام دوستانی که در رابطه با عمل من به هر نحوی کمک کردن تشکر کنید.
به امید دیدار، دوستدار شما
سالارDear uncle Sohrab, Hi
How are you ? I hope you are doing well and not tired of all the trouble you are going through for me. I hope someday I can make it up to you. Please on my behalf thank you all those who have helped in any ways for my surgery.
I hope to see you soon.
Truly Yours,
Salar
12/11/09
Salar and his mom are going back to Embassy on Wednesday 12/16 to re apply again.
12/09/2009
We are very fortunate to have so many people helping Salar's case. A volunteer attorney in Dubai has kindly committed to assist with Salar’s case and will obtain another interview at the embassy within the next few days. Letters and emails from politicians and supporters are flowing to Consul General in US Embassy in Dubai. Donations are reaching $80,000 and will be deposited to Stanford’s account as soon as they are coming. Soon a new visa letter from Stanford will be issued that reflects the new amount accumulated under Salar’s name and will be sent to embassy.
We would like to thank you all for your support and dedication to this cause.
12/08/2009
Sorry for the bad news, but this morning Salar and his mom were denied the US Visa in Dubai. For two reason:
1) not enough money to pay for the surgery (even we have paid half of it already and they had a letter from Stanford to show that)
2)Not enough proof that they will return back home after surgery.
I am thinking maybe to write up a petition and gather signatures and send it to state department.
Already I have written a letter to consul general in Dubai, Justin Siberell. You can also write to him or your congressman or senator to aks for their help, see the sample .
Please fill it out and can fax it to your Senator of congress man or congresswoman:
Senator Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510Phone: (202) 224-3841
Fax: (202) 228-3954
TTY/TDD: (202) 224-2501or her local offices:
San Francisco
One Post Street, Suite 2450
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (415) 393-0707
Fax: (415) 393-0710
Los Angeles
11111 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 915
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: (310) 914-7300
Fax: (310) 914-7318
San Diego
750 B Street, Suite 1030
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 231-9712
Fax: (619) 231-1108
Fresno
2500 Tulare Street, Suite 4290
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: (559) 485-7430
Fax: (559) 485-9689Or Senator Barbara Boxer:
Office of U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-3553
(202) 224-0454 faxOffice of U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
312 N. Spring St. Suite 1748
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 894-5000
(202) 224-0357 faxOffice of U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
600 B Street, Suite 2240
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 239-3884
(202) 228-3863 faxOffice of U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 403-0100
(202) 224-0454 fax12/03/2009
Thanks to all of you beautiful and generous people, today we were able to make another deposit to Stanford Hospital for $10,000 and receive the visa letter. Immediately I FeDex it to Dubai to be there for their visa interview on Dec 8th.
12/02/2009
Great News: ChildrenofIran.org has transfered $15,000 to Stanford bank account for Salar operation.
12/01/2009
From donations in Salar's account, we deposited $15,000 to Stanford hospital bank account.
11/26/2009
Salar and his mom had asked for an expedited appointment and here what we got as a response from US embassy in Dubai.
"...A consular officer reviewed your request for expeditious processing and has granted you an early appointment. You may come to the Consular Section on – 8 December 2009 between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. for your visa interview..."
God bless them, don't you love them? I see a lot of angels all around us. From doctors to donors to officers in US embassy...thank you all.
11/24/2009
Early in the morning I called Radio Iran and talked to Mr. Kamali on the air about Salar's case. I thank you Radio Iran, Mr. Kamali, and everyone who listened to this sad story. I am sure with everybody's help it will have a happy ending.
11/24/2009
Today I stopped by International Medicine Office in Stanford Hospital and gave all the X-Ray and MRI films to have them scanned into their systems.
11/20/2009
Per Fax letter received from Drs. in Stanford, they have tentatively scheduled surgery date at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital for Jan. 28, 2010.We need $80,000 for surgery
11/16/2009
We are still waiting to raise enough money to be able to put down a deposit for his surgery in Stanford.
Then the hospital will issue a Visa Letter.
When Salar's family have the letter they can go to US embassy and ask for a visa.
The requested deposit is $40,000, however our goal is to raise $85,000 for all the travel expenses, hospital costs and post surgery expenses.
11/09/2009
Today I got a call from Stanford Children's Hospital that they decided to accept Salar and all we have to pay is $80,000. This is tremendous news. Later in the day, I talked to International devision of Stanford and they confirmed it as well. They want half of the money deposited to their account before they issue the visa letter and the other half of it within 4 month after registration. This is great and I was glad to communicate that to his mother. They are very happy as well.
We received a huge discount because of the help of our wonderful friend Daryoush Nafar the owner of Robaii restaurant in Stanford downtown. He had the courage to ask for help from a wonderful person on the board of Stanford Children Hospital.
Once you choose hope, anything's possible."
Christopher Reeve
Salar's back before and after surgery:
Before 
After 
Doctor's Letter:
Salar reading the letters from his supporters:
Letter from Officials in Salar's support:
Sohrab Sohrabi
sohrab
