Sunday, Aug. 4, 2002 — the day my life changed forever!

I was 19 years old, serving as a driver during my military duty. That morning, I kissed my girlfriend good-bye and my father drove me to the bus station in Carmiel. I was returning to my unit.

On the bus, I remember noticing a young man wearing a yellow T-shirt. I heard him say something to two Arab passengers. They left the bus at the next stop. If only I could have overheard what he had said.

Seven metres from my destination, that same man started screaming. He grabbed a soldier sitting next to him and suddenly exploded himself.

I saw a loose leg, blood, fire and heard screams of panic. I yelled to the driver to open the door and let the passengers out. After that, I lost consciousness.

I reached the hospital in critical condition. When my parents were asked for signs of identification, they said “green eyes”. “The soldier is without eyes” was the response.

I was unconscious for two months. When I woke up, I discovered that I was blind and deaf. I remember those days well. I would wake up to silence and darkness. I believed it to be another nightmare and went back to sleep.

This was the hardest and most frustrating time of my life. I talked but couldn’t hear the replies. I sang not even knowing to whom I was singing. I didn’t know what the time was, who touched me and who brought me water to drink. I had no idea what had happened or the extent of my injuries – there was no way to communicate with me.

I remember crying for two whole days: “Why me?” I eventually realized that I had to continue on. My doctors and I were determined to find a solution.

After 2 months of operations and with the help of technology, a hearing device was implanted in one of my ears. Suddenly, I was able to hear again.

A year after this devastating trauma, I moved to a house in Afeka, close to Beit Halochem in Tel Aviv. I wake up every morning at 5 a.m. to walk outdoors with an escort or a friend. After breakfast I go to Beit Halochem, where I am now a member of the Goal Ball team. Goal ball is a game similar to soccer designed especially for the blind.

I work out daily in the fitness room and afterwards relax in the cafeteria with other disabled friends and family. I am so grateful to have a place that I can go to and where I fit in.

Beit Halochem has helped me cope with my disability and made me realize that life does continue even if you are blind and partially deaf! I am proud to say that I recently completed a computer course and am studying Business Administration at Tel Aviv University.

I thank you, our Canadian friends, for all that you have done for Beit Halochem. Without your support, I would have nowhere to go. Please continue helping us!

— Todah Rabah,
Eyal Neufeld