Iraqi Kids Dream of Artificial Limbs

The Iraqi kid lost his leg after being caught in a cross fire between resistance fighters and US forces in Fallujah in November 2004.

"My little sister run away from our home while insurgents were fighting the Americans in our street," Mukhaled recalls.

"I went to pick her up when I was shot in my leg and fell. My father came quickly and took us inside," he added.

"But because we weren’t able to go to a hospital, I lost my leg," said the tearful ten-year-old.

Iraq Invasion (Special Coverage)
Coming from a poor family, Mukhaled has been unable to get an artificial leg since then.

His parents have been frantically looking for some form of assistance for their son, like physiotherapy treatment and an artificial leg, but no aid agency is able to find him one in view of the high demand nationwide.

"She always she comes back with some food for us but never a leg for me," a bitter Mukhaled said referring to his mother's tireless efforts.

Not Alone

Mukhaled's case is not peculiar.

Hundreds of children have been handicapped or disabled because of the raging fighting countrywide.

"I thought that I was the only child without a leg in Iraq," Mukhaled said.

"But one day I went with my mum to a local aid agency looking for help and I was surprised when I saw so many children without limbs."

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