It was not too long ago that I was fortunate enough to travel to Israel during my summer break, amidst the current war. Working as an Occupational Therapist and passionate about helping others, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to volunteer for Magen David Adom (MDA), an experience I had longed for post October 7th, 2023. There were many unknowns and lots of apprehension leading up to my departure, but from the minute I landed in Israel, I knew I was in the right spot.

Flying solo into a country that has endured the most unimaginable terror in history, but has demonstrated its ability to persevere and support all of its citizens, reminds us how important it is not to stop advocating for what is right.

My experience was not like anything I have ever endured. Living in the heart of Tel Aviv on Nachalat Binyamin, in the hustle and bustle of the town, the streets were full of light, the ruach in the streets was energising, everyone living their lives, going to work and persevering in light of the current situation. Despite all this, it became a common occurrence that most nights the sirens would alert, and we would have 90 seconds to run out of our apartments and into the bomb shelter, ensuring we were safe. Hearing rockets fire left me trembling. This is a day in the life of an Israeli, fearing the unknown and wondering, “When will I next need to run to safety?”

The training began within the first days of arriving in Israel. Every day, an early wakeup and we would make our way by bus or foot to the MADA headquarters. We had an amazing teacher, Galit, who supported us every step of the way. Lots of content was covered daily over two weeks, a refresher of CPR, the history of MADA, first aid principles, anatomy of the human body, seizure management, respiratory distress and diseases, medical conditions, measuring vital signs, allergies, anaphylaxis, cardiovascular diseases, climate related injuries, trauma, muscular and skeletal systems, head trauma, spinal trauma, thoracic trauma, pregnancy, geriatrics, haemorrhaging, electrical injuries, drowning and so on.

Throughout the 2 intensive weeks of training, we practised many of the techniques we were learning. This became even more unrealistic when our teacher, Galit, experienced an anaphylactic shock during the training, leaving everyone rushing to support her. Seeing in real life the effects of anaphylaxis, including fainting and a rapid decline in pulse and blood pressure, demonstrates how crucial emergency care is, saving lives 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The 2 weeks of training flew by, and before I knew it, I was heading off to my first shift at my base in Ramat Gan, surviving on limited sleep and endless emotions of what had been and what was yet to come. For my first shift, I was alone, just me and my driver. It was a privilege to be able to support my patients, providing them with appropriate medical treatment and alleviating their stress on the way to the hospital. Despite how nervous I felt, using my skills as an Occupational Therapist and my ability to fluently speak Hebrew, connecting with my patients and showing them that I am here for them made me so proud. Day 1 of volunteering exposed me to many cases, supporting people post-car accidents, supporting broken bones, falls, allergic reactions and the usual, measuring all the vital signs and administering oxygen.

Throughout the rest of my shifts, I was fortunate to treat many patients with many different injuries; treating spinal injury patients, mental health patients, trauma patients, falls, individuals with low blood pressure, managing, treating and transporting non-verbal children living with autism from a multi-vehicle car accident on a freeway, as well as patients requiring CPR. The list goes on. Speeding through traffic, lights and sirens to provide emergency medical care and transport to those in need allowed me to appreciate how lucky I am to be alive. You never know what is happening in someone else’s life and when they require support.

Throughout my trip, I was also fortunate to visit the Nova site, the Gaza Envelope, Hostage Square and many landmarks marking October 7th. To witness these atrocities and have the privilege to stand in the very same spot where so much terror occurred is unfathomable. Speechless. It simply is difficult to comprehend this nightmare, one that we are still living with all over the world, one that we’ll never know when it ends. It’s truly heartbreaking.

But despite all that I have seen, all that I have witnessed and all I have been able to give, I am forever thankful for the opportunity to support Israel and its people in a time of need. I’ve met like-minded individuals from all around the world and have formed many friendships for life. It is a privilege to be able to provide medical support and safe transport to those who require it. I have loved every part of this adventure, and if I could put a smile on someone’s face and tell them that I am here for them, this means the world to me.

Coming home to Australia has changed my perspective on life. Working as a health professional and having the means to make a difference in individuals’ lives on a daily basis is a true privilege, one that I am deeply grateful for. While this trip flew by so quickly, I cannot wait to return to Israel in the near future to continue my volunteering, something I am very passionate about. I am passionate about delivering emergency care to individuals in my local community and want to utilise my skills to assist Hatzolah and other community organisations with providing care to others. I’m so thankful to MDA for the opportunity to help patients in these dire times.