ambulance – Page 2 – Ezer Mizion

Joy, Pride…and the Will to Live

He was an outstanding science teacher. Now he is battling cancer. Dr. Vladimir Detzkovsky was one of ten science teachers who were awarded citations of excellence. Would he be there in person to receive his award? Would he relive his productive years in the presence of those whom he had taught? Would he hear the applause? What a difference between receiving the award in the mail and being there in the limelight! What joy it would give him, enabling his spirit to be strengthened and join his body in the battle for life. Yet, for Vladimir, traveling was an impossible feat. Until Ezer Mizion’s Ambulance and Transport Division entered the picture. A ceremony took place at the Haifa Technion, where ten prizes were awarded to outstanding science teachers selected by Technion students. Note the equal expressions of joy on the faces of Vladimir and that of the Ezer Mizion driver who made his attendance possible.

Wishing you a full recovery, Vladimir! May you soon return to the classrooms where you were so much loved and admired.

15 Minutes

Photo: Today, Yisrael was being transported in an Ezer Mizion ambulance from Petach Tikvah to Jerusalem, where he had a doctor's appointment. The trip went unusually quickly and as they approached Jerusalem, they saw that there were another fifteen minutes left before the scheduled appointment. Yisrael asked the driver, Yair Ozeri, to take the opportunity and stop by the gravesite of the prophet Samuel on the outskirts of Jerusalem, where he had not had a chance to pray for years. Keep in mind that due to his medical condition, the only way for Yisrael to get around is by ambulance and he leaves the house only for medical purposes…This is also an opportunity to thank the volunteers at the Petach Tikvah branch of Ezer Mizion for their warm embrace and the daily assistance they give Yisrael throughout the year.

Doctor visits. Not very exciting but for Yisroel, those are the only times he steps out of his routine. Unable to do what most of us take for granted-hop on a bus and go wherever we like-Yisroel is dependent on others for every move. This week was special for him. The Ezer Mizion driver arrived in Jerusalem 15 minutes ahead of schedule. For Yisroel, those fifteen minutes were a surprise gift. His relationship with the driver, and all Ezer Mizion drivers, was that of a friend and he felt perfectly comfortable in suggesting that they use the time to stop of at the gravesite of Samuel, the prophet , to pray. The driver was thrilled at the opportunity to give Yisroel that extra something. You see, the inside of an Ezer Mizion driver is not comprised of nickels and dimes. Inside, he is one big heart.

Books Are Great but…

“Books are great,” says Matityahu Kreitman, “but I wanted to get a feel for the real thing. I’m a pre-med student and, of course, I have tons of material to learn but I was anxious to develop a real understanding of the patient and, for that, I needed real patients.”

My chance came in the summer, a perfect time to fulfill my ‘volunteer hours’. I chose Ezer Mizion’s Ambulance Division. They provide transportation for the elderly and the disabled. It’s hard for me, a young guy, to imagine. When I want to go somewhere, I just go. It’s hard to get my head around the concept of someone not being capable of getting where he has to be. Continue reading Books Are Great but…

And on the way, I…

“I’m sorry I’m a little late,” the Ezer Mizion driver apologized to his wheelchair –bound patient whom he was scheduled to drive to the clinic. The patient, like so many others, who have no way of traveling to the clinic on their own, had been a bit concerned when his ride was late. A taxi, as expensive as it is, would not do, since he needed a vehicle that could accommodate his sitting in his wheelchair and what taxi driver would be amenable to carrying him down two flights of stairs! Continue reading And on the way, I…

His Daughter’s Wedding

The flowers were ordered-they decided on pink and blue. The gown was stunning-it fit perfectly. The caterer had agreed to the molded dessert that she loved. But the bride was not happy. “Flowers and desserts are nice but what about my father! It’s my special day. He talked about this day since I was a little girl. And now he won’t even be there.”
Miles across town, Eli’s tears mixed with his daughter’s as he lay ill in the hospital bed. There was not a chance that he would be released before the wedding. Continue reading His Daughter’s Wedding

The Other Side

From the thoughts of Avi Sorias, an ambulance driver for Ezer Mizion

“Here,” says the young man from behind me. “At the right.”
From my place at the steering wheel, I glance at his image in the mirror. He sits there, limp and helpless, his head dropped back against the seat. His voice is soft, almost a whisper.
The vehicle, a modern Ezer Mizion ambulance, pulls up by a tall building. “Are you okay?” I ask the closed eyes behind me.
The young man, shaken, sharply pulls himself up in his seat, plastering a care-free smile on his gaunt face. “No,” he replies seriously, “but only you and I have to know that.”
He thanks me profusely for the ride, takes a deep breath, and steps out to the broad sidewalk.
The street is humming with people at this midday hour: Children are coming home from school, cheery preschoolers prance along with their colorful backpacks, busy parents rush along their way. A cat darts out from between the cars, startling a high-school girl leisurely walking home.
The young man continues along the path to the building. He stops a moment and glances at a large public bulletin board displaying freshly-pasted death notices announcing the demise of a special member of the community.
He scans it silently. I watch him and feel a stab of sadness, painfully aware of the thoughts running through his mind.
“He is so young,” I think to myself. “He has four little children at home. And so very little stands between him and a notice just like this one!” Continue reading The Other Side

A Snow Day?

Snow is a way of life for many people. Only a few inches? Ho hum. But in Israel it is a momentous event with schools closing and roads closed for even a relatively small amount of snow.

For children, it is the ultimate delight. Even parents join them in their frolicking. But the disabled who has an important doctor’s appointment, the dialysis patient who is due at the clinic that day, the frail, elderly holocaust survivor who needs to see his physician today—they are helpless without the assistance of Ezer Mizion’s Ambulance Division. Continue reading A Snow Day?

Countless Kindnesses

o Yaakov and Ariel,Who carry the responsibility of the passengers and drivers on their shoulders,

Who open the door to every request, and help out each one in the best possible way.

To the devoted driver,

Who loyally holds the steering wheel,

His tires churning out countless kindnesses in all kinds of places. Continue reading Countless Kindnesses

Wheels

Dear Ezer Mizion Ambulance Team,

“…The wheels of time speed down the highway of life, dashing forward as in a hurtling race down the broad lanes,

Passing the various interchanges, crossing busy intersections.

Only on occasion, when something gets caught in the wheels… Continue reading Wheels

Five Times A Week

Gentleman:

Enclosed is a check for Ezer Mizion. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks for the help I received form Ezer Mizion recently. Continue reading Five Times A Week