A New Leg for Mustafa

Mustafa Al-Tameemi runs, jumps, bounces on a trampoline and plays computer games just like a typical 8-year old. The difference is that Mustafa has but one leg and a severely injured foot on it. Mustafa was a happy 7 year old boy living in Najaf, Iraq in October, 2009 when a high voltage power line (a legacy of the US destruction of Iraq's infrastructure including the power grid) crashed into his home and set it afire severely burning Mustafa. The weakened Iraq medical system did what it could, but his right leg was amputated below the knee, two toes were removed from his burned left foot and his left arm was severely burned. Sadly, Mustafa is but one of the perhaps million Iraqi civilian casualties.Sami Rasouli, an Iraqi-American, founder of Muslim Peacemaker Teams in Iraq, started this venture. Mustafa and his mother Shayma Hasan are here as a result of humanitarian efforts by St. Joan of Arc Church, The Mayo Clinic, Shriners Hospital for Children and Gillette Hospital. All are contributing money and services to make possible Mustafa's rehabilitation. He's here to receive proper medical care for his left arm, leg and foot, and to be fitted with a prosthetic right leg. ; St. Joan Parishioners have committed to support Mustafa and family for an extended period. As a growing boy, he will need a new leg every year.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• iraq
• new leg
• st. joan of arc
• shriners
• gillette
• mayo clinic