MDA israel

Almost exactly a year ago, on 21.4.21, a call was received at MDA's 101 Emergency Dispatch Center of a motor vehicle accident involving a motorbike and a car, near the clocktower in Jaffa. An MDA ambulance and MICU were sent to the scene, and after just a few moments began providing treatment to Amit Asael (45), who was critically injured with a head injury. The MDA teams led by Paramedics Shira Azulay and Uri Shachar, as well as EMTs David Blumenfeld, Simcha Krungold and Netanel Fried, fought to save Amit's life, provided life-saving treatment, ventilated him, and conveyed him to hospital where doctors continued the treatment. Amit was unconscious for a month and a half after the accident, after which he started on a journey of rehabilitation.

Last week, on 21.4.22, exactly a year after the accident, Amit wanted to mark his new "birthday" where he received his life anew, he wanted to meet the MDA teams that saved his life. 

An emotional and teary Amit Asael: "I think a great deal about what happened. There are nights where I can't believe that I'm here, alive and talking to you. A huge thank you for saving my life - I will be grateful forever, and I can't find the words to express how thankful I am. I call you the angels in white, who bring people back from the dead. They told me I should have been an angel, but thanks to you I've returned to walk here. I cannot imagine the treatment decisions you had to make in real time. There isn't a big enough thank you that can be expressed. A life-saving experience isn't a simple thing at all, and it's one of MDA's activities that every person in this country should recognize and admire. I hope that you will continue to do so in the future. Thank you for saving my life." 

MDA Paramedic Shira Azulay: "I clearly remember your case. When I left the trauma room after we had conveyed you to hospital, I had a very upsetting feeling. We try to do our best, but sometimes we can't. We conveyed you to hospital, and I was afraid to think about what tomorrow would bring. I was scared to ask and find out. We knew this was a case where the chances of survival were low, and the team was very upset. I managed to disconnect emotionally for a long time, trying to forget about the call, but then I received a phone call to say you were up on your feet, that you had recovered. And I was shocked. To see you like this is simply amazing, and I am very happy to meet you here." 

MDA EMT David Blumenfeld: "This was the last call where I thought someone would call me and tell me that the patient is alive, up on his feet, and wants to meet us. This really gave me a different, amazing perspective on life. Meeting you gives us the strength never to give up and assume that there's no hope. This strengthens us. It is emotional to hear you say thank you, but we need to thank you too - thank you for giving us the strength to continue what we do."