President Rivlin Visits Sheba's Rehabilitation Center one Year after the Beginning of the "Protective Edge Operation"
The visit of President Rivlin opened with a very emotional meeting with 10 injured soldiers who were hospitalized at Sheba during the "Protective Edge Operation" and continue their journey to recovery in the framework of day hospitalization in the rehabilitation center. The president addressed each one personally with his well-known empathy, asked how he was doing, how his family was, showed interest in his near and far future plans, and expressed his deep and sincere appreciation to the medical staff who accompanies them on their path to recovery.
"You are here for almost a year already, and I was sworn into office about a year ago, when I was here to be close to you during the difficult days you and our country went through. The turmoil we all experienced subsided, but you continued the war, the war for life, for normalcy, the war that comes after the war. I am here to accompany and salute you on your path to recovery. You constitute hope for us as a society and as a nation, and you are an inspiration for us. You have a hospital director, Prof. Zeev Rotstein, whose son was a fighter in the operation like you and could have been here with you, and for this reason he regards each one of you as if you were his own son."
Prof. Zeev Rotstein was very moved when he addressed the injured soldiers, "When I am looking at all of you, I have tears in my eyes and can hardly talk. I remember receiving you here when you arrived from the battle field. Seeing you today, seeing the incredible improvement you made, is for me the essence of what we are doing at Sheba: We do everything whole-heartedly so that you can be young and free again in this country." Prof. Rotstein was also accompanied by Prof. Shlomo Noy, the director of the rehabilitation hospital.
President Rivlin continued his visit in the department for head trauma where three soldiers are still hospitalized who suffered severe head injuries during the "Protective Edge Operation" and still continue with their daily intensive rehabilitation routine.
President Reuven Rivlin with injured soldier Ohad Ben-Yishai
The final station on his visit was in the neurological rehabilitation department, in the room of Golani officer Shai Siman-Tov, the commander of the 12th Golani Batallion. Shai Siman-Tov was severely and critically injured when a concrete support pillar of a tunnel collapsed on his head in the neighborhood of Shajaia in Gaza, and was admitted to the hospital, paralyzed from the neck down.
Today, one year after his injury and an amazing rehabilitation process at Sheba, he can stand on his own two legs, walk with the help of a walker and ride a tricycle.
Shai Siman-Tov exercising on a tricycle in the department
President Rivlin recalled seeing him one year ago, he entered his office. "You don't know how you touched all our nation, you are one of a kind - an officer and a role model." Siman-Tov responded, "You are one of the few visitors I remember when I was in intensive care. Now we are here in the right place - these doctors are our savior angels."
The president thanked the dedicated staff of the hospital and said, "You know better than anybody else how much hard work and faith are needed to make every single miracle we saw here today to become reality. Thank you."
