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After being injured working for the Army, Iraqi's life in Salt Lake is a letdown
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Keep up your spirits and don't let your situation hold you back. You've been through hard times before, you can make it through these hard times again.
As for Lufthansa and their lack of concern for replacing Diyar's wheelchair I have only one word: Scumbags! I often fly overseas and have use them before but if they don't replace his wheelchair and soon, I will no longer book any flights through them.
I'm also going to forward a link to this article to their management. So they can see the bad publicity one little wheelchair is costing them.
Do the right thing Lufthansa and replace the wheelchair now!
However I fear his basic premise is flawed and until he gets past that he will have a hard time finding contentment.
It is not a matter of him helping American soldiers and now we owe him a debt of gratitude.
American soldiers are there helping Iraq, and risking their lives in a largely thankless brutal struggle.
Iraq is HIS country.
If Iraq is to be free IRAQIS must take responsibility for their own nation, security and future.
It was IRAQIS who blew his legs off.
Until Iraq and Iraqis see the world that way their future security and prosperity will remain in doubt.
I agree - Diyar is a war hero. He deserves the best this country can offer him. But gives me a break - the LDS Church isn't tagged to take care of everyone, especially if they have no idea about someone's situation. Just grasping at straws...
Thank you Deseret News for shedding light on this man's plea. Now people can act.
You and your fellow Iraqis know that life can be hard, and that good things sometimes happen slowly.
You and your fellow "terps" deserve great praise for your bravery and hard work. You also deserve far better treatment than you have received so far in America. Our own wounded troops have often not been treated as well as they should have but eventually good people see what is going on and make things better.
Things will get better.
I bet the Utah Department of Veteran Affairs can get you in contact with Iraq war vets who will give you the support you deserve, even though the UDVA may not be able to provide any official support.
Thank you for your service.
An American Veteran of past wars sends.
I do not want to seem cruel but reality is reality.
He was an employee of a military contractor with better insurance than the average Iraqi and better pay as well.
His insurance ran out. He is now on medicaid.
With the help of kind people in this country he will be helped.....funds will be started....heck he might even go to college thanks to private generosity.
Worse case he will end up on disability payments like many citizens and veterans. Perhaps he will go back to Iraq when this whole thing cools off and file for an Iraqi disability check.
If he isn't satisfied with yet more American handouts, let him find something better wherever he can. Our own soldiers don't always get what he apparently expects as his due.
What kind of headline is that?
It makes it sound like losing his legs was his high-point and living in Salt Lake is when things went bad for him.
I thought the Deseret News was making an effort of change for the better, and to have quality, fact-driven reporting. Instead, here is an article that makes our community out to be worse than the thoughtful folks that blew off their own countryman's legs.
If greeting this hero at the airport with a fanfare was so important, I want to know why the writer, Elaine Jarvik of the Deseret News, did not use her position to advertise this need before he arrived.
I ache for this man's loss and hope that he receives the best care available. But to use him in such a poorly conceived premise as this to decry the generosity and selflessness of this community and nation is reprehensible.
hope that those good souls in Utah will reach out to
you, and help you in making a new life, in a new land.
If there have been errors and weaknesses shown by those around you,I hope you can forgive them, and others will more than make up for your difficulties.
To all those that post here, let's not fight, and argue. Talk to each other, and try to guide this man
to the assistance he needs. I know we can!
Did he sign something as part of his contracted employment regarding an awareness of the risks and what responsibility the company would have if he got injured?
There may be more to the story. Maybe he was compensated very well in wages for his work, knowing that he was taking risks. Perhaps now he wants more benefits to cover for his own risk-taking.
I'd like to believe he was working because of some noble ideals, but that wasn't presented as such in the story.
That said, like any other person, we should try to help out.
Tell ya what guys..I am a vietnam era veteran that is unemployed due to a job going to Mexico.....40% of our manufacturing base is gone and what is left is full of illegals in this part of the country.
I had a traumatic injury with no health insurance .....do you want me to go on...the Va now charges for health care......can't afford that.
Better yet a job would be nice....multi degreed professional..
If anyone has any money send it. I will find some way to get you my address.
By the way.....a lot of veterans are in this situation.... American Veterans
I had never heard of this guy until I read the article on the web today. I think that the U.S. Army needs to take care of this guy as he was injured in their service. L3 ought to also be taking care of him. They ought to do the moral and ethical thing and take care of this brave man. He deserves it.
If I knew where to send some money, I'd help out where I could also.
Does this man have skills? It would be great if he could get a job or some type of training. Maybe work at D.I.?
As for Lufthansa, their action is reprehensible. There should be no question about them replacing the wheelchair.
"Al-Bayati got a piece of good news on Wednesday, though: Medicaid has agreed to give him a motorized chair. As a refugee he's covered for several months by Medicaid."
What???????? I'm sorry but I have health problems - untreated asthma or emphasima and possible heart problems and I can't get medicaid because I don't have kids in my home. I am sick of seeing people who are refugees and those having anchor babies in this country being given what I am denied. We live on $900 a month and over two thirds go to our household bills. My husband who is disabled does qualify for medicaid but I don't. No money for me to see a doctor.
I know why I can't get a job it's because by the time I get to the human resources office I am struggling to breathe.
Use the funds to get him a new chair and hopefully with what is left over he can make a new life for himself in his country but this government is only responsible to a point and that point does not include medicaid when it has limits on what they give those who were born here.
Gratitude is a first step to life looking up.
I'm not a person that usually makes comments but I just want to say Thank you for all that you have done for US. I know that by helping our solders communicate you have helped them their lives as well as others.
Thanks you so much!
We should not point fingers at anyone. Instead we should work together to make our community better for everyone that is a part of it. We all have a responsibility for those around us. Too many of us are quick to place blame and slow to make a positive difference with our actions. We don't have to do something large, but we can find ways to reach out and serve those around us.
If you want anyone to show you gratitude you have to show gratitude yourself. So how about we try being grateful for this young man and show him our gratitude.
Who is showing gratitude to our troops for dying to liberate and keep Iraq safe?
Sure, it is really decent for a few Iraqis to (in exchange for great pay) help our soldiers protect THEM.
Perhaps this man's own countrymen would be in a position to shower him with gratitude, along with the grateful citizens of the US.
wars you win don't produce refugees.
cutting and running opens the floodgates of refugees.
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