Nadav Kamer (15) was waiting for the bus home on January 15th, an ordinary winter's day in his home town of Ra'anana.
But Ahmed Zidat and Mahmoud Zidad, from the West Bank and working illegally in in Israel, had other ideas. Just as school students were coming out of school at 1:30 p.m., they perpetrated a car-ramming and stabbing attack, during which they seized three vehicles and rammed pedestrians in several locations in the city, also stabbing one or more of their victims, according to police, medics, and eyewitnesses.
An elderly woman was killed and 17 people were injured, including at least seven children and teenagers, one of whom was Nadav.
During the attack, he sustained critical injuries to his head and spinal cord and doctors fought to save his life, unsure what his future would look like. Initially he couldn't breathe by himself, speak or walk.
Nadav has endured 5 grueling months of rehabilitation, moving between hospitals and rehab facilities as he fights to be able to do simple things that we all take for granted.
After undergoing numerous surgeries and displaying remarkable resilience, he has successfully regained some mobility – His ultimate goal to return to playing baseball.
After the attack, Nadav's parents, Allen and Stacey Kamer, created a Facebook group called 'A Worldwide Hug for Nadav', where people from all over the world could send messages of support and encouragement.
Here is a little of his brave rehab journey:
In March, Nadav started to eat by himself. Miraculously, in April he regained some sensation in his lower extremities and even started to move his hips and legs.
In June, the Kamers posted:
"Nadav has started to walk down the hallway with assistive braces and a walker, and he seems to increase his distance and improve his form each time he walks. Nadav continues to be motivated and committed to improving every day ... Nadav is scheduled for airway reconstructive surgery to remove the blockage in his larynx. This will require him to have an extended hospital stay at the hospital. We are hopeful that the surgery will be successful in removing his trach and restoring Nadav’s beautiful voice."
Just a week ago, they posted the following update:
"Nadav has recovered very nicely from his surgery. He is breathing easily and speaking clearly after airway reconstruction surgery ... his tracheostomy was removed! He has returned to Beit Levenshtein rehab [where] he is increasing his physical therapy activities since the surgery and is beginning special exercises for his vocal cords.
Nadav had the opportunity to join his baseball team in the playoffs. He was honored to throw out the first pitch in their first game and joined the team in the dugout on their way to the championship."
We wish this brave warrior continued success in his rehabilitation, and hope to hear more good news from him soon!
* The Times of Israel and Channel 13 contributed to this article.
