[citation needed] Having escaped after five days in captivity, Engel said he believed that a Shabiha group loyal to al-Assad was behind the abduction, and that the crew was freed by the Ahrar al-Sham group five days later. 2022, NY Press Club Awards, Documentary National TV & Feature Reporting National TV. Shop our favorite Plus Size Clothing finds at great prices. Henry Engel, the 6-year-old son of NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel, died earlier this month from complications due to Rett syndrome. ban degrees in subjects related to critical race theory and gender studies. The comments below have been moderated in advance. The mother of two, who also has a three-year-old son Theo, recalled carrying Henry to the car when the funeral home workers came to pick up his body later that night. Shortly after Henry passed, I listened to an excellent Ted Talk by author and podcaster Nora McInernycalled We dont move on from grief. NBC News correspondent Richard Engel shared a heartbreaking update on his son Henrys health amid the 6-year-olds battle with Rett syndrome. When a mainstream child is potty trained, he may make mistakes, but generally he keeps doing it and gets better without thinking about it. He is holding her hand. Mary Forrest Engel, the spouse of Richard Engel, is opening up about the week she spent with their 6-year-old boy Henry after he died. Then, she does grass time, sand box time (her partner built one during lockdown), water time and foot bath time, along with puzzles and games Zach likes. NBC News correspondent Richard Engel shared Thursday that his 6-year-old son, Henry, has died following a Rett syndrome diagnosis. " I tried to picture her day. Deals and discounts in Cookbooks you dont want to miss. Find the best deals on More Pets Supplies from your favorite brands. He is trying to tell me something.". I let him have time alone with Henrys body. [41] His coverage focused on the challenges of free elections in Afghanistan and the disruptions to democracy in the country. Shop the best selection of deals on Cameras now. [38][39][40], Engel reported on Firebase Restrepo and the soldiers of Viper Company stationed in the Korengal where he showed the fierce firefights taking place between U.S. soldiers and Taliban forces. Without therapies, these kids are breaking. It was so awful, surreal and beautiful at the same time. Jack was just learning to use a computer to communicate when the COVID-19 lockdowns started. We are his legs. Theres a saying: Grief is the price we pay for love. The couple's oldest childpassed away last August after a years-long battle withRett Syndrome, a genetic mutation that leads to severe cognitive deficits and physical impairment. Find the best deals on Women's Handbags & Wallets from your favorite brands. Shop our favorite Bath & Body finds at great prices. "Henry would have turned 7 today," Engel tweeted on Sept. 29. "He continues to be an inspiration for Dr. Zoghbi and her team as they work to find effective treatments for Rett syndrome, and they already are making significant progress with Henrys own cells," the post says. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. She remembered how she noticed that Henry's nose was leaking fluid and would wipe his nose with tissues as she sat with him. Henry loved music. After a series of medical exams and a genetic test, doctors discovered that he had a mutation in his MECP2 gene. This kind of grief is unlike anything either of us had felt before. NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel shows MTP Daily exclusive video of his team experiencing a shelling in eastern Ukraine, where he says Weve learned so much from so many patients with Rett syndrome, but because (Henrys) mutation was a little different, it allowed us to think slightly differently about other approaches, said Zoghbi. There is a danger COVID is going to set back a whole generation of special needs children. The standing frame cost about $1,000. We sat with him in our home for hours. Then it was time to leave the crematorium and walk away from his body this body I knew so well, loved more than life itself and fought to keep alive for years. Richard Engel (born September 16, 1973) is an American journalist and author who is the chief foreign correspondent for NBC News. Forrest shared how she visited Henry's body in the funeral home and would sit with him daily during the week leading up to his cremation, Forrest said she would 'cry, stroke his hair and face and rest [her] head next to his.' Published: 17:40 EST, 23 February 2023 | Updated: 18:05 EST, 23 February 2023. In March 2022, he shared a somber update on Henry's health and said his son had taken a turn for the worse.. NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel has shared some sad news about the health of his 6-year-old son, Henry. Find the best deals on Home Gym from your favorite brands. One of those scientists is Dr. Huda Zoghbi, director of the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Childrens Hospital, who worked with the Engel family and got to know Henry. The mutation stops the brain from growing properly, and according to WebMD, symptoms include slowed growth, issues with hand movements, a lack of language skills, problems with muscles and coordination, and trouble breathing. There are risks with having the therapist come, touching and moving Henry, but not doing the therapy has risks too. Wherever I go and whatever I do, hes with me. Engel grew up on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York City. I didnt go in. He did music therapy and hydrotherapy. We rub his ears. He frequently spends time at home with his family when he is not reporting from the front lines. Adrienne Stuart from Tacoma knows Henrys struggle well. She feeds him on her lap too, more now than she used to. 'A big thank you to everyone who sent kind and thoughtful messages, and donated to support medical research to defeat Rett Syndrome. We probably have about $5,000 to $10,000 worth of equipment in our living room, some of it provided by local authorities where we live in London. I didnt expect to see them for that long, and it was comforting. She seems to have limitless energy. They can dislocate easily. On Thursday, Engel shared that her team of researchers at Duncan NRI are using Henry's cells to help cure Rett Syndrome. In March 2011, Engel was caught in an artillery strike while interviewing fighters during a rebel advancement towards former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces outside the city of Ajdabiya. She brought his books and toys and played his favorite songs, The Engels scattered some of their son's ashes at a tree in a park that he loved, and she recalled seeing the remnants for months afterward and thinking, 'He's here'. "Dear Henry, you will be missed. [citation needed] He survived kidnapping attempts, bombings, IED attacks, and ambushes. Then we drove to the cemetery in complete silence, his oddly lovely rainbow-colored casket made of woven willow in between us in the back of the hearse. He did astronaut therapy in a soft-play room, spinning on a large Lazy Susan to let him feel a mild centrifugal force. "Additionally, a number of children will get an unusual pattern of breathing and other problems, including heart rhythm problems.". Mary Forrest, wife of NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel, penned an essay for Today about the final days she spent with their six-year-old son So far, the treatments for the incurable conditionare mostly limited to various forms of therapy, like physical therapy, speech therapy, and behavioral therapy. She brought his books and toys and played his favorite songs. Their oldest son had started having seizures that year, and they were trying to manage his compulsive repetitive motion, which had become more pronounced. He was three and a half years old when he said 'Dada' for the first time, Henry could only interact through 'sight, sound, and touch,' so Engel and Forrest constantly cuddled him, praised him, massaged him, and gave him kisses, Engel and Forrest welcomed their son Theo in 2019, and he told People at the time that it was difficult to know that their baby boy would soon pass Henry's developmental milestones. Luckily, we are still keeping up with his physical therapy, which is essential. At age 13, he joined a wilderness survival camp where he learned about leadership and how to be more independent. Forrest and Engel have been married since 2015. When I came back, I heard Richard talking as I was about to open the door. When he is upset, he screams with his whole body and kicks his legs with power. Ordinary civilians joined an underground resistance to help liberate the city of Kherson. Shop our favorite Dog Supplies finds at great prices. Save up to 50% on Pets when you shop now. TODAY remembers Richard Engels beloved 6-year-old son, Henry, According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. She is also working on her first novel, a domestic drama set in rural Regency England. I dont know. Her partner works outside the home until 4 p.m. To find out more about autism and COVID I reached out to Carolina Landa, a mother in Olympia, Washington, with an autistic son. He has an uncontrollable urge to put his hands in his mouth all the way to his knuckle. Zoom learning isnt an effective option for kids like Zach. Princess Diana's nieces Lady Eliza and Amelia share snaps as they attend shows in Milan, Tom Brady is welcome back with Bucs: Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht says he'll leave a 'flashlight' on in case retiree makes ANOTHER comeback amid bizarre reports the QB is eyeing a comedy special to win over Gisele, Today show hosts FINALLY break their silence on Hoda Kotb's mysterious week-long absence to reveal 58-year-old has been off the air dealing with 'family health matter'. They noticed a 'deterioration in Henry's overall condition.' RELATED: Doctor of Richard Engel's late son Henry reflects on time with him: 'He has this smile'. In 2020, Engel wrote an essayfor Today about how the COVID-19 pandemic had been a'nightmare' for his son who had been cut off from the therapies that had enriched his life. Carolina has invented her own therapy regime, timed to the minute to help keep Zach from slipping out of control. She works for an oversight agency for Washington States prisons, talking to inmates as a kind of liaison. But for me it was a validation, an acknowledgement that hes in there, knows me, knows that his mother and I are forces for good in his life, and above all, that he loves us," Engel wrote. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. After working as the networks Middle East reporter and Beirut bureau chief, the author was assigned to the post on April 18, 2008. One of the first things she does in the morning is wrap Zach in a weighted blanket. [42], Engel reported extensively on the Arab Spring movement. The photo brought me back to sitting with our son Henrys body after he died. Henrys hips are like jelly. There is no cure for the condition, and people with Rett syndrome need care to treat their symptoms. We were all crying. The rest of her body is trapped under debris. NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel announced Thursday that his son Henry, 6, has died. Behavior is communication. For a child who interacts with the world through touch, this contactless society were living in has made his world smaller. He added that the goal of the drug is to help make symptoms milder and it would not reverse the condition. Or maybe grief makes us behave in a way that is our truest self, because every impulse I had felt completely organic. Children with special needs face new challenges amid pandemic, Richard Engel shares his son's rare medical condition, genetic disorder known as MECP2 mutation, most commonly called RETT syndrome, A 'Dada' 3 years in the making: Richard Engel shares son's emotional milestone, How families caring for children with special needs are coping during the pandemic, Rett syndrome: Meet the doctor trying to create a cure. [citation needed] He reported on the advances made by rebel fighters within the country as well as the mass defections from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government army. I keep thinking about the father and his daughter in Turkey and the love that was radiating out of that photo. They can't integrate it and filter in what's important and filter out what's irrelevant, she said. WebWatch On Assignment with Richard Engel Season 7. So when he heard that sweet word come out of his son's mouth, it was a moment Engel will never forget. This is how we will honor his life, the doctor continued. I saw an extraordinary scene today as we landed at the airport. After Henry's death, her daily routine with him evolved. When policy makers and public officials prioritize what to open, where and when, I hope they keep special needs children in mind. Youre my heroes," she wrote. Henry doesnt have autism, but his physical and developmental difficulties also make Zoom learning extremely challenging. NBC News Richard Engel details repercussions of U.S. troops leaving Afghanistan. Scientists are also looking into gene therapy, trying to find ways to modify the expression of the MECP2 gene or compensate for the abnormal expression, said Patterson. I am thankful to have had that week. In a personal essay, Mary Forrest, wife to NBCs Richard Engel, writes about saying goodbye to her sons physical body. It resonated with me and touched on so many feelings that are constantly swirling in my head these days. Shop the best selection of deals on Tools & Utensils now. I hear lots of parents grieving the fact that their child was making progress this year and with this sudden removal of supports, theyre seeing regression. "It's typically not inherited. in international relations. For everyone following Henrys story, unfortunately hes taken a turn for the worse, Engel wrote on Twitter. One of the earliest signs in a typical case is the growth of the head slows down, and that (is) classically seen before theres any change in development, said Patterson, urging parents to make sure their child's head is measured regularly at checkups. Do not sell or share my personal information. Unfortunately, the more we learned about But any part of Henry in any form be it hair, teeth, runny nose tissues is precious right now. Adrienne worries Jack, who was just learning to use a computer to speak, will lose the skill and with it, his ability to communicate. I say hes lucky to be keeping up with his physical therapy, because we are paying about $100 an hour to have a private therapist known to us and part of our bubble come to our home. We sometimes put socks over his hands so he doesnt chew them to the point where they bleed. "Our beloved son Henry passed away. Find the best deals on Fragrance from your favorite brands. In They would have him ready for me, and Id go into the room and cry, stroke his hair and face and rest my head next to his. Soon after sharing the first video, Engel tweeted another sweet photo of Henry sitting up and looking at the camera. Engel's son sadly passed away. While I didnt do that with Henrys ashes, I understood her impulse completely. [25] Engel's latest documentary, Ukraine: Freedom or Death [26] aired on April 22, 2022 and covered the first two months of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. RICHARD ENGEL MSNBC: So the Taliban are now, I think, you can say on board and coordinating closely with the Americans. Doctors have warned us that unless things change Henry may need major hip surgery, a full redo, cutting and reshaping the bones so they fit better into the sockets. We massage him. Thats why I say were lucky. Shop our favorite Women's Shoes finds at great prices. So we roll the dice, hoping not to hit seven and COVID out. He had the softest blue eyes, an easy smile and a contagious giggle. It was super stressful. How many times had I carried him in his life? [15] In May 2008, he interviewed U.S. President George W. Bush, largely about his speech to the Israeli Knesset. Forrest said her husband was concerned about her daily ritual at first and feared it was only exasperating her grief, but going to the funeral home with her helped him understand. Top Taliban official speaks to Richard Engel about US evacuation from Afghanistan CLIP 08/26/21 Details Amid the scramble to evacuate Afghanistan, a top "MECP2 mutations cause Rett syndrome, a disorder that typically affects girls after their first birthday, robbing them of learned skills and leaving them with cognitive deficits, loss of speech, and a variety of motor difficulties," the Texas Children's Hospital page explains. Mary keeps him in her lap a lot. Engel wrote A Fist in the Hornet's Nest, published in 2004, about his experience covering the Iraq War from Baghdad. I cant imagine a child who is showered with more love. Let's drop the act that this pandemic affects us all equally. On his tribute page, Henry is described as someone who "made the best of every single day and worked tirelessly in his many physical and developmental therapies.". Its very, very severe. Deals and discounts in Womens Active Shoes & Sneakers you dont want to miss. Save up to 50% on Women's Clothing when you shop now. He rode a white horse named Coco with two attendants on either side to make sure he wouldnt slide off the saddle. Mary Forrest, wife of NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel, penned an essay for Today about the final days she spent with their six-year-old son Henry after his death. When the inmates have issues, they call her and she tries to mitigate the situation before it escalates. A large part of Henry's daily routine was physical therapy because movement was essential for him to build strength, Engel and Forrest had been candid about their son Henry's medical journey, In 2020, Engel opened up about how the COVID-19 pandemic had been a 'nightmare' for his son who had been cut off from the therapies that had enriched his life. [18], In 2011, Engel reported, at times through tear gas, on the Egyptian revolution. has been humbled today as last troops leave Afghanistan Share this - NBC News Richard Engel details repercussions of U.S. troops leaving Afghanistan. Children with Rett syndrome can lose motor skills, including purposeful movement of the hands, and may develop scoliosis or difficulties with their gait, which make them very unsteady, Patterson said. [15] Engel worked for ABC News as a freelance journalist during the initial invasion of Iraq by U.S. forces. We move forward with it. At one point, she shares that she licked her hands clean after scattering her husbands ashes, because she was afraid of losing more than she had already. I brought a different assortment of books and toys each time. Thousands? A few friends asked to come with me one day. The parents had to put his arms in braces or socks over his hands to keep him from chewing his skin until it bleeds. Deals and discounts in Pet Parents you dont want to miss. Hundreds? The day of the cremation, we went multiple times to sit with him. We move him so his world feels bigger now that COVID made it smaller. My husband, Richard, was a bit hesitant about what I was doing at first. "We will continue to push as hard as possible to develop treatments. Thats all gone. 6 Amazon travel essentials for your next getaway, starting at $12. One time we were there together, and I stepped out of the room for a bit. 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