Iraqi teenager Mustafa Abed first came to Portland Oregon as a five-year-old, three years after he lost his left leg at the hip in 2004 when he was near the landing spot of a United States missile.
It was the Rose City where Abed was brought for treatment for internal injuries, a city he eventually departed with a new, prosthetic left leg.
Ten years later, Abed has returned to Portland as a soccer-crazed teenager. And in addition to receiving more medical attention, he's been able to immerse himself in the sport he loves.
Abed and his mother were guests at the Portland Timbers' practice last Wednesday, part of a series of events designed to give him a full Timbers experience.
He enjoyed a VIP day on May 13, witnessing the Timbers' 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders in the historic 100th edition of the rivalry. Abed was on the field during warmups and watched the game from the club seats. He is also due to be back at Providence Park when the NWSL's Thorns FC host the Utah Royals on May 25.
Abed is back in Oregon thanks to No More Victims, a group with the mission of bringing children wounded in war to the United States for treatment. The group Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility have helped raised funds for Abed’s ongoing medical treatment, while the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund paid for his family’s latest trip.
