She awoke with her face on fire. My Mom come in. It was the beginning of a journey through hell. She received skin grafts in hospitals in her homeland, but the doctors weren't equipped to do the intricate work of reconstruction. Jannatul became one of the lucky Bangladesh girls who would be chosen for surgery in the United States.
Acid attacks are common there.
Her care was arranged by the Florida chapter of Healing the Children Foundation, which helps American and foreign children get medical care. Florida Hospital donated its services, as did Winter Park plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Hartog. Jannatul stayed with two host families, where she picked up some American attitudes and indulged in wearing blue jeans along with her more traditional Bangladesh garb. Jannatul spoke no English when she came to Florida and knew no one. She grew close to Savanna Thakur, a Bangladesh native who has lived in the United States for 22 years and has interpreted for Jannatul.