4-year-old Naz Sido fluttered around like a real butterfly as she headed down Laurel Street with her mom and a small entourage for her first time trick-or-treating.
Full of anticipation, she repeated the phrase “trick or treat” to herself several times to make sure she got it right when she came to the first house. Her excitement and her energy were palpable.
Although Halloween was still more than a week away, more than a dozen homes in the neighborhood near Audubon Park opened their doors so Naz could have her own private trick-or-treat.
Naz and her mother, Shiler Sido, traveled from Syria for Naz to undergo heart surgery, which was scheduled for the day before Halloween at Children’s Hospital. “She has been talking about Halloween and trick-or-treating since we arrived,” said Sido, Naz’s mother. “I’m so glad she has this opportunity.”
Her host family, CHNOLA surgeon Dr. Bill Acousti and his wife, organized a private night of trick-or-treating so she didn't have to miss out.
Naz walked away with a bag full of candy and memories for a lifetime.