Following an arduous, but ultimately successful treatment in the US, Majid, a 13 year old double amputee, has recently returned to his family in Iraq. Once wheelchair-bound, Majid, is now looking forward to a hopeful future.

Mission Impossible

Following an arduous, but ultimately successful treatment in the US, Majid, a 13 year old double amputee, has recently returned to his family in Iraq. Once wheelchair-bound, Majid, is now looking forward to a hopeful future.

One sunny morning in 2004, while everyone was celebrating the end of the first school semester, Majid and his cousin were walking home, looking forward for their vacation after a tiring period of exams.

A kilometer away from his home, Majid stepped on a land mine. A loud blast echoed across the valley and after that, silence. Majid’s cousin was dead and Majid severely injured – lapsed into a coma.

A week later, Majid woke up to find that the doctors had made the agonizing decision to remove one of his legs, or risk losing his life.

It did not stop there; a month and a half later, after various complications, Majid was sent to the Specialized Center for Orthopedic and Plastic Surgery in Baghdad. It was there that they decided that his other leg had to be amputated too. It was a devastating decision for the active, sport-loving boy.

Sustained by patience and faith; his parents, two brothers and 4 sisters all provided Majid with love, hope and support he needed to push through.

A month ago, a joyful child arrived at Queen Alia Airport in Amman, from the US, and ran across the concourse to the embrace of his father. Both unbelieving and ecstatic at once, Majid’s father’s prayers had come to life.

Charity is everywhere

All across Amman, well-wishers, friends, hotel receptionists and waiters clamored to meet him again and revel in his new-found mobility.

‘Charity is everywhere,’ said the concierge of Majid’s hotel, a long-term friend and supporter, ‘Humanity survives by the grace of God, through hope and the belief in happy endings. This tragic story has touched the hearts and changed the lives of countless people – his loss has not been in vain.’

and Majid. Well he was too busy posing for the cameras and running around on the terrace outside, but he did say he was looking forward to playing football with his brother again.

“I have steel pins running through these legs now – he better watch out when I kick the ball, it’s going to come fast!’