Ali Thanks Britain For New Limbs

[bedolido]

An Iraqi boy who lost both arms in the Gulf War has thanked the British and Kuwaiti people for his new prosthetic limbs.

Ali Abbas said his only wish is to have his family with him as he goes through his rehabilitation.

But the 13-year-old's parents were killed in the bombing raid during the war in Iraq - the same raid in which he lost his arms.

He made the comments at a press conference before his first appointment at the hospital rehabilitation centre where he is expected to be fitted with £20,000 prosthetic arms.

Ali has been accompanied by 14-year-old Ahmed Mohammed Hamza, 14, who lost his left leg below the knee and his right hand in a US bombardment.

Ahmed said: "God forbid British kids go through what I have been through so we wish peace, love and prosperity."

The boys' doctors have told a press conference how the pair want to become symbols of hope and courage and messengers of peace for the people of Iraq and around the world.

Both boys are now looking forward to receiving their new limbs and learning to use them, they said.

Their first appointments are at the rehabilitation centre at Queen Mary's Hospital in Roehampton, south London, where specialists say Ali should be able to lead a virtually normal life with artificial limbs.

But it will be up to him to adapt.

Robin Cooper, a clinical specialist in prosthetics at the hospital, said: "It very much depends on him. We can give him the tools, but the real work comes from him.

"We would expect him to be able to accomplish the tasks he is determined to do. We have had people who have had the same level of loss as him who fly light aircraft or drive cars."

Last Updated: 14:31 UK, Monday August 11, 2003

[bedolido]

Ali Abbas at the press conference

[Bilbo]

Poor child! Off topic: Anyone know what happened to poster Mad Ivan from Britain?

[Indrid Cold]

What a little trouper! Doesn't even miss his clumsy old flesh-and-blood arms! Doubtless the first hurdle in his rehabilitation is going to be re-learning how to wave an America flag.