- The journey for thisfamily began in Iraq

where the governmenthelped make it possible

for them to come to America.

Now, Iraq wants them home,

and that's literally creatinga life or death decision.

(baby humming)

At first glance, John Botros appears

like a healthy, energetic two-year-old.

Sadly there's much more to this toddler

than immediately meets the eye.

- [Mayasam] The mostdifficult part for me,

seeing my child suffering, as a mom.

- And I cannot imagine losing him.

It's very difficult.

- [Eric] And it makes the entire family's

situation difficult as well.

In 2013, Wisam Toma andhis wife, both Christians,

left Iraq for him to attendVirginia Commonwealth University

and earn a PhD inpharmacology and toxicology.

During that time, thecouple had two children:

Miriam and John.

The family celebrated atWisam's graduation in 2018.

Behind the smiles, however, was worry.

- It's very difficultand very frustrating,

very stressful, too.

- [Eric] The stressful situationbegan with their son, John.

- He was fine, he was happy.

Nothing was wrong withhim when he was born.

- [Eric] Then, at only six months old,

John contracted a viral infection.

Although it went awayafter a couple of months,

it left him not wanting to eat.

Doctors eventuallydiscovered painful ulcers

and fluid going to John's lungs.

As he began to lose weight,doctors inserted a feeding tube.

- He was not comfortable at all.

He was sad, congested allof the time from that tube.

He'll sneeze, the tube will come out,

we have to put it back.

It was a very, kind of, painful process.

Sometimes blood will comeout of his nose, he'll choke.

(John coughing)

- Then came unexplained seizures,

kidney stones, and abnormal growth.

Doctors ran all kinds oftests looking for answers.

Finally, in July thefamily got a diagnosis

from doctors here at theChildren's Hospital of Richmond

at VCU that answered some questions,

but perhaps created even more.

John was diagnosed witha genetic disorder.

It's called Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome.

- [Linda] It's very rare.

I have never seen a case with it.

There are 75 cases in the world.

He needs a number ofphysicians to work with him:

neurology, kidney doctors,

feeding and developmental specialists

that we have here at theChildren's Hospital of Richmond.

- [Woman] Big open.

- [Eric] Treatment that John

certainly would not get back in Iraq,

although that doesn't concerngovernment officials there.

They want Wisam back becausehe signed a government contract

to receive the scholarship.

- The agreement is if thestudent doesn't come back home,

he's going to have to pay backall his due in a lump sum.

- [Eric] And that totalsmore than $300,000,

money the family does not have.

Wisam's offered to pay backthe loan in installments,

but Iraq says no.

He's reached out to boththe US Embassy in Baghdad

and the Iraqi Embassy in Washington.

Neither can help due tothe binding document.

What's worse, Wisam's siblingsco-signed the contract

and now the governmentis garnishing their pay.

- [Wisam] They say, "I knowyou are trying your best

"to help that, but you have to come back."

- His family back home isin a situation because of us

and we care about them, too,

but we had no choice inthis situation, also.

Nobody wish to have a sick child.

- [Eric] After beingturned down for a loan,

the family started aGoFundMe account online

but have only raised afraction of what they need.

- As Christians, we always hold our cross

and walk everywhere,like in the Psalm 23rd:

Even if I walk in thevalley of shadow of death,

yeah, I shall fear no evil,'cause You are with me.

So this is our life there.

We accept everything, but now,

the major issue of us is John's health.

- [Eric] What do you want to see happen?

- [Mayasam] I think forus, the government of Iraq.

- A miracle.- Yes.

- We have faith in God, we believe in God,

and we believe in miracles.

- [Woman] Disappointed that it hasn't.

- The family believes there'san answer to their situation,

but so far, they haven't found it.

They're hoping that bygetting their story out,

someone may have a suggestion

that will point themin the right direction.

In the meantime, they're feeling

the weight of the worldon their shoulders.

In Washington, Eric Philips, CBN News.