Ali Abbas
Headline:
I bounce my sisters' babies on my lap... they have a better future now
Synopsis:
WATCHING Ali Abbas skilfully kicking a football and tackling his mates in a leafy English park, it is easy to forget the devastating disability that has made him one of the enduring symbols of the Iraq War.
He lost his arms when a US bomb struck his home and killed his parents, younger brother and 12 other members of his family in 2003.
Ali, 17, is now flourishing in a small house provided by the Limbless Association and excelling at private Hall School in Wimbledon, South-West London, which waived its £10,000 annual fees.
But he makes regular trips back to his beloved country to visit family members — and is in a unique position to speak on the best way forward for his homeland.
This week Iraq’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, announced that British troops there are no longer needed as a fighting force and should leave.
- Publish date:
- 16 October 2008
- Author:
- Sharon Hendry
- Source:
- The Sun
- Media:
