Outlook rosy for Iraqi boy

Ali has responded well to treatment

The Iraqi boy who lost both arms in a bombing raid could have a bright future, according to the British specialist who will fit him with new limbs.

Consultant prosthetist Nick Hillsdon said 13-year-old Ali Ismaeel Abbas was strong and brave enough to build a new life.

Ali was severely injured and burned in an allied attack on Baghdad in which his parents and many members of his family died.

Initially, he was given just a 50% chance of survival, but has responded well to treatment, including three months of plastic surgery in Kuwait.

Learning process

He is now due to fly to the UK to have prosthetic arms fitted at a specialist clinic at Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton, south-west London.

Mr Hillsdon hopes to fit one arm initially and then, hopefully, a second.

He is hopeful that Ali will eventually be to dress himself, play sport and even drive.

Mr Hillsdon told London's Evening Standard: "Ali's case is very unusual but there is no reason why he should not be able to do all those things.

"It is not going to happen overnight but Ali is a strong lad and I think he will be a great patient."

Mr Hillsdon said the tough work would begin for Ali after the prosthetic limbs had been fitted.

"He will have to practise small things at first, like operating switches and learning how to put the limbs on himself."