Gil, an IDF soldier, was in combat with his comrades when a deafening explosion tore through the air around him. When he woke up, he wasn’t sure if he was in a dream or reality. Luckily, he had received emergency surgery in a field hospital in the middle of the brutal combat zone, and the military medical team had saved his life.
The injury was catastrophic—shattered bones, torn blood vessels, and a rapidly spreading infection. Doctors expressed that Gil was in a life-threatening situation, and before surgery, they told him, “We’re not sure we’ll be able to save the leg.”
The surgery was mostly successful. Gil’s leg was saved, but he faced months of bed rest in a fixed position to avoid damaging the bones the doctors had reconstructed.
After months of staring at the ceiling, Gil’s only wish was to sit outside, breathe fresh air, and look up at the sky. But, due to his condition, a regular wheelchair could not accommodate him. This is where Yad Sarah stepped in.
Volunteers at the Yad Sarah lending center began brainstorming how to build a wheelchair tailored to Gil’s condition. The team used 3D-printed bolts, a custom-ordered adapter, and other creative solutions to design a special leg rest—one that would allow Gil to sit comfortably while keeping his leg stable at the exact angle the doctors required.
When the wheelchair was complete, Gil carefully shifted his body and attempted to get out of bed for the first time in months.
“Look! Daddy can get up!” his little daughter shouted, jumping for joy.
Tears flowed as everyone watched Gil sit upright again. He knew the road ahead was still long, but for the first time in months, he felt strength and hope. As Israel begins to heal, Yad Sarah is unwavering in its commitment to standing with soldiers and civilians alike on the often long road to recovery.