Suarez helps have dream of Palestinian child fulfilled

Imad, a 13-year-old Palestinian boy who lost most of his eyesight due to Israel’s bombing of the besieged Gaza Strip, fulfilled his lifelong dream on Saturday and met FC Barcelona star forward Luis Suarez.

Thanks to an initiative by the Nagel Foundation – in collaboration with the Catalan club – Imad got to visit the Cules’ sports city and had his picture taken with the Uruguayan player.

He also attended the La Liga match Barça played Saturday night against Malaga at the Camp Nou.

Imad, who was born in Gaza, lost all vision in one eye and 80 percent in the other when the Israeli army bombed the strip four years ago.

Thanks to a health visa, he settled in Barcelona with his father in June and received treatment for his injuries at the local Barraquer foundation.

The child, who received a plastic cornea implant, continues to suffer from retinal detachment, and specialists have already announced that his case has no cure; he is expected to completely lose his vision.

Imad will return to the besieged Gaza after having fulfilled one of his dreams by meeting his idol Luis Suarez, who showed interest in the boy’s case.