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L.I. Hospital Saves Afghani Boy Born With Bladder Outside Body

NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Life-saving surgery has given an Afghani child much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.

As WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs reported, Bilal Sharif was born with his urinary bladder outside his body – an extremely rare condition.

L.I. Hospital Saves Afghani Boy Born With Bladder Outside Body

But now, the 7-year-old boy's painful condition has been corrected by Dr. Monir Hannah of Long Island Jewish Medical Center.

"There's a good 75 to 80 percent chance that he will come out of this with a normal functioning bladder," Hannah said.

Bilal speaks no English, but his wide smile tells the story. Dr. Ariella Friedman said his dream was just to be like other little boys.

"So many people along the way caring enough to make it happen," she said. "It's truly, truly remarkable what we were able to accomplish."

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