Amputee Soccer Players Receive Prosthetic Legs

A group of refugee soccer players living in D.C. walked on two feet for the first time in many years on Thursday.

Five men received free prosthetics thanks to the work of Catholic Charities and Adventist HealthCare Physical Health and Rehabilitation.

"It's like a dream come true because we couldn't afford it on our own," said Samuel Eastman, who lost his leg when he was 14 years old.

They lost legs from bomb blasts, shootings and machete attacks in Liberia's civil war, News4's Darcy Spencer reports.

"These gentlemen are so appreciative of being able to have a leg and then as you watch them and see them get up and moving, it's more than heartwarming," said Dr. Terrence Sheehan with the Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital.

The men are players with an international soccer team for disabled players and up until Thursday, played with crutches. It was through that soccer team the men came to the United States.

They're currently living at a homeless shelter in D.C. as they apply for permanent asylum,  

The men said they feel the new legs will open new opportunities for them to get work and take away the stigma of having to walk with crutches.

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