Read Obama's 'Sweet Welcome' to Troy-Bound Syrian

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TROY, MI - President Obama has joined hundreds of thousands of people touched by the haunting story of a Troy-bound Syrian refugee that unfolded this week in a series of posts on the Humans of New York Facebook blog.

The unnamed scientist lost seven members of his family, including his wife and a daughter, two years ago when a missile packed with 116 shrapnel- and needle-filled bombs literally chewed terror victims to pieces as it tore through a family compound he had built himself.

“I just hope that (Troy is) safe and that it’s a place where they respect science,” he said. “I just want to get back to work. I want to be a person again. I don’t want the world to think I’m over. I’m still here.”

Obama’s comments buoyed the blog into the viral stratosphere. More than 500,000 people have liked a post highlighting the president’s welcome, and almost 44,000 people have shared it. The president commented:

“As a husband and a father, I cannot even begin to imagine the loss you’ve endured. You and your family are an inspiration. I know that the great people of Michigan will embrace you with the compassion and support you deserve. Yes, you can still make a difference in the world, and we’re proud that you’ll pursue your dreams here. Welcome to your new home. You’re part of what makes America great.”

Brandon Stanton, founder of the Humans of New York blog that shares stories of strangers living in the city, recently added a new series, “The Syrian Americans.” The blog Stanton started five years ago now has more than 10 million followers worldwide.

The posts traced the Troy-bound refugee’s life from his modest farm upbringing through a brilliant educational career, and through a happy marriage that produced successful children to the day his family was shattered. Sixteen people died that day in explosions from the government anti-personnel missile.

“My daughter was studying to be a doctor. My son was the smartest in his school. We were well known in the community. Nobody had a problem with us. We had no affiliation with any party or regime. Everyone loved us, honestly.”

His son, 14 at the time, survived, but remains traumatized by what he saw.

“I was overseeing a project outside the city when the missile hit my house. Nobody was around to help, so my son had to carry the pieces of his mother and sister out of the house. He was fourteen at the time. He was so smart. He was the top of his class. He’s not the same. Right after it happened, he’d write ‘mom’ in his notebook over and over. He’d cry all night long.”

Though he has a PhD, he can’t work in Istanbul without a residence permit. He can’t afford the rent on his apartment, and survives by creating construction blueprints in exchange for a payment that is “maybe one percent of what a Turkish citizen would have earned.”

He has cancer now. He thinks sadness and stress may have contributed to it.

“It’s in my stomach. It’s getting more and more painful. The only reason I can speak to you right now is because I’ve taken a painkiller. I can barely eat. I’m bleeding internally. I’ve gone to five hospitals here. They tell me there’s nothing they can do, especially because I have no insurance and no benefits. My friend in America tells me that it’s an easy surgery, but I’m fighting against time. It’s spreading, and I think that soon it will move beyond my stomach. And then there’s nothing I can do.”

Read the seven blog posts and the president’s response below.