Soldiers help Iraqi boy get prosthetic leg

Courtesy Photo | Abdul Razak Ra'ad Mutter al Jabouri and his mother Sobha al Jabouri pose with the Soldiers who helped save his life after an improvised explosive device exploded near him, Nov. 18. From left to right are Lt. Col. Rommey, a doctor at the combat support hospital; 1st Lt. Charley Staab, platoon leader of Company A, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division; and Maj. Patrick Hickey, also a doctor from the combat support hospital.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

03.19.2008

Courtesy Story

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – A 10-year-old boy from Arab Jabour was doing chores near his home along the Tigris River when he stepped on an improvised explosive device, Nov. 18.

Abdul Razak Ra'ad Mutter Al Jabouri lost his right arm and leg and was nearly killed in the blast. Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division rushed to his aid and had Abdul taken to the Ibn Sina hospital in the International Zone, run by the 86th Combat Support Hospital.

Now, three and a half months later, Abdul is walking again with the help of a prosthetic leg.

Abdul was released from the hospital two weeks after the IED exploded. Arab Jabour had very few options for medical care, leaving little hope for Abdul and his road to recovery.

To get Abdul the help he needed, the same Company A Soldiers helped transport him and his family to numerous appointments in Baghdad to get him fitted for a prosthetic leg.

"It is a great thing for us to be able to help Abdul recuperate and return to a somewhat normal life," said 1st Lt. Charley Staab, from Novi, Mich., a platoon leader in Company A and the first on the scene when Abdul was injured.

The Soldiers took Abdul and his family to Baghdad on March 15 for the prosthetic leg.

"It's rewarding to see some good come from such a tragedy," said Cpl. Todd Smith, from Lubbock, Texas, Company A.

Sgt. David Ipock said protecting civilians inspires him to work hard so Iraqis can have a life without terrorism.

"It's what motivates you to stay vigilant the most, to prevent more loss of life and limb," the Greenville, N.C., native said.

For Abdul, getting the prosthetic leg is only half of his recovery process. He will make another trip to Baghdad in the coming weeks for his prosthetic arm.

• Date Taken: 03.19.2008
• Date Posted: 03.19.2008 14:18
• Story ID: 17548
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ