Author Description

This is the real-life story of Ali Abbas, published on the aniversary of the Iraq War, with all profits going to a trust fund for Ali. Ali captured our hearts when he was photographed in a hospital bed after the bombing raids over Baghdad that left him an orphan. He was eventually air-lifted to the U. K. and is continuing his recovery here. Ali Abbas became an international symbol of Iraqi suffering from the moment his photograph first appeared in the newspapers in the Iraq War of 2003. His father, pregnant mother and brother were killed by coalition bombs over Baghdad, while the 12-year old boy lost both his arms and suffered burns to his body in a bombing raid on Baghdad. He lay close to death before being airlifted to expert treatment in Kuwait. For Ali, and many children like him, the Iraqi conflict will have life-long consequences, and this book will follow his story through each dramatic step. It is Ali's courage and resilience that has drawn so many people to him, and now Ali, his family, friends and doctors speak about his life and recent events as well as his hopes for the future. Since the day his story became known, Ali's progress has been closely monitored by press and public alike, from his dramatic airlift out of Iraq, to his travelling to the UK for expert care at Roehampton Rehabilitation Centre. Produced with the full co-operation of the Limbless Association; all royalties of this book will go towards a fund for Ali.