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O&P Companies Open Hearts to Palestinian Boy Sometimes something as everyday and innocent as
bicycling to a barbershop can lead to devastating injury--if you
live in a land torn by armed conflict.
Fourteen-year-old Mohammed Shbeir, who lives in Gaza, Palestine,
sustained life-threatening injuries when an Israeli Apache
helicopter fired a rocket at a car carrying a militant leader. The
missile sprayed flying shrapnel as it exploded. The teen survived,
but underwent amputation of his left leg below the knee.
Dr. Basil Hantash of the Palestinian Childrens Relief Fund
(PCRF), an American relief group headquartered in Kent, Ohio,
visited Shbeir and his mother in Gaza. Hantash then contacted
Michael Dodd, CPO, owner of Applied Orthotics and Prosthetics, San
Jose, California, for help. Dodd agreed to donate his services and
contacted Freedom Innovations, Irvine, California, for a prosthetic
foot.
 Freedom Innovations donated a Freedom Series 2000
foot and the Hosmer Dorrance Corporation, Campbell, California,
donated a leg. Dodd then fit Mohammed May 20 with the new,
custom-made leg. Dodd guided Mohammed through his first steps on
the prosthesisthe first time the teen had walked in over a
year.
The conflict overseas has touched people worldwide, but when a
child becomes a victim, it does not matter what side you are on,
said Freedom Innovations President and COO Richard Myers. To help
improve the quality of life for this young boy brings a great sense
of pride and honor to the team at Freedom Innovations.
"So many people throughout the world wish there were a way they
could help the victims of this conflict," said Dodd. "The staff at
Applied Orthotics and Prosthetics and I are overjoyed to be able to
help this innocent young boy and help give him a chance at a better
life."
For more information about the Palestinian Childrens Relief
Fund, visit www.pcrf.net. 
Table Of Contents - August 2004
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