|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cpl. Idan Cohen and his commander Maj. Oleg Livshitz . Photo: Rotem Caro Weizman, IDF Spokesperson Rotem Caro Weizman, IDF Spokesperson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Idan Cohen suffers from Osteogenesis imperfecta but insists on volunteering for the IDF
Rotem Caro Weizman
Upon seeing Idan Cohen for the first time in his wheelchair, most people probably have that feeling of unease, being wary of saying something hurtful or out of place. But his broad smile and friendly attitude makes it easy to forget all discomfort. On top of it, he apparently has no problem talking about his disability. "I have Osteogenesis imperfecta," he started the conversation.
Idan was born in Petah Tikva, where he lived until four years ago when he moved to Shoham. When he was only a few months old, he broke his leg without any apparent reason. "They examined me and discovered that I had Osteogenesis imperfecta." This disease, also known as Brittle Bone Disease, is caused by a deficiency of Type-I collagen, which means that at any given moment, caused by a minor injury, a fall or an incorrect movement, Idan could break a bone. Sounds scary? Definitely! "Once when I was asleep, I woke up after a dream and discovered that I had broken a bone. That's why I am sometimes scared of making a wrong movement." Idan actually lives his life as a boy made of glass. He used to walk with a walker, but he weakened a lot after numerous operations he went through because the bones in his legs kept breaking, so today he sits in a wheel chair. "I fell hundreds of times, and I even have nails in my legs because they had to reconnect my bones," he said.
Despite all the difficulties, Idan attended a regular elementary school in Petah Tikva up to the sixth grade. "I had a helper with me at all times, who would help me go to the bathroom and made sure I wasn't hit or had a blackout," he remembered. He managed in school, but it wasn't easy; his problem, which was very obvious, did not go unnoticed by his classmates, who would laugh at him. Idan decided not to leave the situation as it was. "I decided in the first grade already to get all the children together, and I explained my disease to them. They understood and even said that they would protect me. Afterwards they didn't bother me again. My teacher also helped me a lot, she was with me until the sixth grade, and I am still in touch with her today."
Before he moved to middle school. Idan's parents decided to send him to the On School for special education. They feared that he would be exposed to a greater danger around older children. "I was the first student with this disease in the school, but it was still a great source of pleasure for me; I didn't have a helper and everyone supported me. At the beginning, I found it difficult to meet new friends because people in special education are different, but in the end I got used to it and I have good friends from there. I came to the conclusion that at the end of the day we are all the same, we are all human beings," said Idan. His school had a project that gave its students the opportunity to volunteer in the IDF once a week, disassembling medical equipment at the Tel Hashomer military base. Idan expressed his interest in the project and began volunteering for the IDF. "During my participation in the project, I understood that I really wanted to continue in the military system. I wanted to help and support the State as much as I could. My father was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Medical Corps, and my sister, who was drafted after me, is a paramedic, so it's very nice that we all serve in this Corps," he pointed out happily. Idan comes to the Center for Medical Equipment every morning at 9am and sterilizes chirurgic scissors. He also had to choose his position in the IDF very carefully. "It was the most accessible place for someone in a wheelchair," he explained.
Idan did his basic training together with 150 other volunteers who suffered from various disabilities; there too he had a soldier with him at all times, helping him with his specific difficulties. "The drafting process was difficult for the same reason; I would be happy if the IDF was a little more accessible." Despite the issues the Osteogenesis imperfect causes, Idan does not lose his positive attitude and his happiness, and remembers mainly the positive things, for example how he enjoyed shooting with the laser gun during basic training. “Now I enjoy the pride that I feel when I visit the On School dressed in my uniform, and I see how proud the people who support me are. But the nicest thing is to see my family happy with everything I do."
"I am now signing for additional time, because I really want to contribute to the State for another year. It makes me feel normal," he said, and added: "I really enjoy the work and I am happy with my friends who help me and take me out to eat. These are the things that I try to tell others, to convince them to also volunteer, and it works. Exactly like Efrat, a girl who studied at my school, did with me a year earlier."
"To work with Idan is a lot of fun," said Cpl. Or Kokler. "Thanks to him I learned to help someone with a disability. Now I know what his specific needs are and I really see how much he tries to contribute like everyone else. Everyone here likes him." These things sound great, but then Maj. Oleg Livshitz, head of Idan's department, enters the room and added: "Idan is a terrible soldier and I don't understand why he's here at all," and immediately afterwards Idan and his commanders laughed. He continued seriously: "Idan was the leader of the group from his school. Efrat had just been discharged and I wanted someone else, and Idan was perfect for the position. I like him both on a professional and on a personal level." For a year Maj. Livshitz was in touch with Idan's parents and prepared everything for Idan's absorption in the military system. "He is a good soldier. The fact that he is here is important also for the other soldiers. When they see how Idan succeeds, they know that they are able to as well. In addition, it shows them that everyone is the same and it lowers their fear of the different. The acceptance of and the cooperation with disabled people is very positive and improves our behavior in society."
|
Link to file
: |
|
Title
: |
|
|
Url
: |
Choose From Resource Gallery
Choose existing Posting
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|