Disabled IDF veteran responds to comical act
Four years after sustaining critical injuries in car crash, Nadav Shmueli was still unresponsive to surroundings. He only began communicating after listening to 'Ma Kashur' stand-up comedy skit
Disabled IDF veteran Nadav Shmueli, who was critically injured in a car accident in 2008, and has been hospitalized in an unresponsive state for over 18 months, began communicating with his family shortly after listening to a skit by the "Ma Kashur" stand-up comedy ensemble, which apparently made him laugh.
Shmueli, 23, served in one of the IDF's intelligence units. In 2008 he crashed his car near the city of Atlit and was severely injured. Following the accident, Shmueli was hospitalized at the neurological Intensive Care Unit in the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa.
Some 18 months after the incident, Shmueli was transferred to the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit in the Elisha Hospital in Haifa, where he is still hospitalized with a 100% disablity level.
"One day, his sister played him one of 'Ma Kashur's' comical pieces," said Shmueli's mother, Tzvia Shmueli, "Suddenly, during one of the funny segments of the skit, he smiled and blinked. He has reacted the same way ever since," she said.
Shmueli's first response led to a break through in his condition which enabled his communication skills to improve. "Nadav can now communicate with the help of a letter board, and he even solves crossword puzzles and math equations with me," said Tzvia Shmueli.
A secretary from Shmueli's high school, who heard of his improved condition, contacted Sabras Production Company that represents the local trio "Ma Kashur," and asked them to come meet Shmueli.
When hearing of Shmueli's story, the comical group were filled with emotion and immediately agreed to meet him. Last week, the three members of the ensemble, Zion Baruch, Assi Yisraelof and Shalom Michaelshvil made their way to Elisha hospital and met with Shmueli who is still wheelchair-bound and cannot speak.
"They were wonderful," said Tzvia Shmueli, "They communicated with Nadav in such a unique way. They managed to really make him laugh. I want to thank each person who took part in this wonderful surprise," she said.
Lior El-Chai contributed to this story
