Recovery Journey of Israeli Soldiers in New York City
For many wounded Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldiers who bravely defended their homeland following the terror attacks on October 7th, the path to healing leads to New York City.
NIV Shtaif, a paralyzed IDF reservist who faced major challenges while on the northern border in December 2023, sees his trip to the Big Apple as a critical step toward his aspirations.
At just 30, Shtaif suffered a spinal cord injury due to an anti-tank missile, resulting in his reliance on a wheelchair.
“We had to push it back because of my injuries. I really didn’t want to get married from a wheelchair,” said Shtaif, a notable Israeli football umpire, referring to postponing his planned wedding that was to include 400 guests last year.
“I promised myself I would walk toward the Chuppa,” he added, expressing determination.
Thanks to transformative treatments in NYC, Shtaif is now able to walk again, reclaiming his self-confidence and greater independence.
The soccer enthusiast, who lost his left hand, left a significant mark on the city—a $100,000 Myo Electric Pattern Recognition Hand, furnished by World-Class Orthocraft, a Prosthetics and Pedulcik Care Company based in Brooklyn.
“Israel doesn’t have many amputees because they lack the resources,” noted Rabbi Uriel Vigler, the founder of Belev Echad, a NYC organization dedicated to helping severely injured soldiers.
“We see people who can’t walk, those with life-altering injuries, and sometimes, it’s challenging to express gratitude for life,” mentioned Hershey Douber from Orthocraft, emphasizing the warriors’ incredible resilience.
The cost of these prosthetics can be astonishing, ranging from $100,000 to $1 million. Douber described the complex, piecemeal assembly process as akin to a jigsaw puzzle.
“It involves delicate wiring and troubleshooting,” he explained, underlining the meticulous nature of the work.
Dr. Omri Ayalon, co-director of NYU’s Center for Amputation and Reconstruction, pointed out the severity of the injuries they encounter.
“We treat explosive injuries that are quite rare,” he remarked, adding that their clinic has been actively performing reconstructive surgeries since October 7th.
Amit Bar, a reserve member of the Nahal Brigade, lost his right leg in December 2023 after a building collapsed in Gaza, which also took the lives of two commanders.
“I thought I was dying,” he recounted, reflecting on the harrowing helicopter ride back to Israel.
After falling into a coma, he awakened to find himself grappling with the reality of being an amputee. But following a six-week medical stay in New York, the 24-year-old not only began walking, he’s now able to run.
A dedicated runner, Bar received a specialized running prosthesis, designed for his needs.
“Think of it like a spring,” Douber explained. “When you apply pressure, it propels you forward.”
This innovative technology minimizes impact upon landing while ensuring necessary thrust for running.
Yet, the enduring spirit of both Shtaif and Bar is remarkable.
“You can question everything, feel sorrow, yet continue to strive for a better future,” Shtaif remarked, demonstrating his resilience.
At his wedding in April, he joyfully walked down the aisle, surrounded by family and friends.
“It was a tough journey to reach this moment under the Chuppa,” he acknowledged, reflecting on the approaching second anniversary of the attacks on October 7th. “But I’m grateful I made it.”
Meanwhile, Bar succinctly added, “It’s just feet. What truly matters is being alive.”
