Israeli ‘wish ambulance’ unites Holocaust survivor with family at wedding ceremony
An Israeli “Wish Ambulance” made a Holocaust survivor’s dream come true while bringing joy to a young couple on their wedding day.
Kim Nebatov (centre) with family and Magen David Adom Wish Ambulance crew at granddaughter Miri Vidavsky’s wedding at Moshav Agur on Sept. 6, 2024. Photo courtesy MDA
The story began with Kim Nebatov, an 85-year-old Holocaust survivor paralyzed from the waist down. A resident of Tzur Yigal in central Israel, Nebatov longed to attend the wedding of his granddaughter, Miri.
Miri and her fiance, Roy Vidavsky, both 27, are military reserve officers, and the war forced them to postpone their wedding several times.
Roy posted a plea on Instagram for help finding an ambulance that could transport Kim to their wedding. The post was seen by Israeli comedian and social media influencer Hanoch Daum, who brought Roy’s post to Magen David Adom, Israel’s volunteer emergency medical service. MDA has a humanitarian initiative called the Wish Ambulance to help to fulfill the requests of people who are dealing with serious or terminal illnesses and whose mobility has been lost.
That was how the MDA’s Wish Ambulance team, led by paramedic Yonat Daskal Dagan, alongside medics Tomer Bar Levy and Panchas Pantel, arrived at Kim’s home in Tsur Yigal and with meticulous care, transported him to the wedding venue at Moshav Agur. The ambulance was equipped with advanced medical systems and tailored to meet Kim’s unique needs, including features such as a high-risk wheelchair, a camera system for viewing the route, a refrigerator for medicines, and resuscitation equipment.
With tears of joy in his eyes, Kim witnessed the wedding ceremony, hugged the newlyweds, and gave the couple his warmest blessings. After the ceremony, the MDA Wish Ambulance team ensured that Kim was safely returned to his home.
For Miri and Roy, the presence of Kim at their wedding was a dream come true. The couple expressed their immense gratitude to the MDA Wish Ambulance team and to Hanoch Daum, whose efforts made the moment possible.
“We are incredibly thankful to the MDA Wish Ambulance team for making our grandfather Kim’s wish come true and, in turn, fulfilling our own wish,” said Miri and Roy. “Our wedding was truly perfect because of the kindness and dedication of everyone involved.”
Said Dagan, the paramedic who led the team, “It was a true pleasure to be part of such a joyous occasion. Kim’s wish touched us deeply, and seeing the smiles on his face and those of Miri and Roy was worth every effort. We wish the newlyweds a lifetime of happiness and good health to the wonderful Kim.”
