Girl wounded by Taliban gets surgery on Long Island

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By ERNIE ANASTOS, Fox 5 News Reporter

NEW YORK (MYFOXNY) -

A young girl from Afghanistan left for dead in a remote village got a second chance. A Long Island hospital is helping her recover.

Marizeh, 6, gave a little kiss to Dr. Kaveh Alizadeh before her surgery Friday at South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside.

A few months ago, Marizeh was shot in the face by the Taliban after she had witnessed the murder of her father and 3-year-old brother. She lost her left eye in the shooting and now wears a prosthetic. The bullet also destroyed her nasal passages making it impossible for her to breathe through her nose. That also affects her ability to sleep through the night.

Dr. Alizadeh, a plastic surgeon, is the president of Mission Restore of Garden City, an organization that provides free medical care for children all over the world who are injured in war and other crises. He said this major reconstructive surgery is also necessary to ensure that Marizeh's face grows properly.

The group that sponsored Marizeh's trip to the United States said that despite all she has gone through she arrived here smiling. Now pizza and French fries are some of her favorite foods. In a few weeks she will go back home to be with her mom. She will come back to the U.S. every year or two for check-ups.

Marizeh was brought here by Global Medical Relief Fund of Staten Island, an organization that helps children injured who have been injured due to war, natural disaster or illness.

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Girl wounded by Taliban gets surgery on Long Island - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

Girl wounded by Taliban gets surgery on Long Island

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