A Miracle in Motion: Yehuda’s Journey Back to His Feet

Yehuda Halevi, a former IDF elite unit soldier, lay unconscious for five days after being accidentally shot by a close friend. Doctors said he would never walk again. But one year and two months later after several surgeries, a grueling recovery, and strong support from those around him he’s walking again.

Today, at 24 years old, Yehuda is considered a walking miracle by the very doctors who once thought he’d never stand again. The injury happened one night when two of his army buddies came to visit him. Somehow, during the visit, one friend tried to unload his gun, but a bullet discharged and struck Yehuda.

“I still don’t fully understand how it happened,” Yehuda shared. “But the bullet hit me hard. I stayed conscious and, within minutes, police and ambulances arrived. I felt like I had two minutes to live, so I shouted everything I could so they would know what happened.”

A Magen David Adom paramedic gave him morphine and rushed him to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, fully sedated and on a ventilator.

At the hospital, doctors discovered the bullet had torn through his right kidney, pierced his diaphragm and liver, damaged his aorta and spleen, and then exited his body. He was rushed into emergency surgery. They removed his right kidney and spleen and treated the damage to his ribs and spine.

When doctors saw the C.T. scan of his back, they told his family the spinal damage was so severe, he’d likely never walk again even if he survived.

The next day, Yehuda began to bleed heavily and was rushed in for a second operation. Just days later, he needed a third surgery. Doctors constantly checked if he could move his legs, trying to assess if he was paralyzed.

Yehuda was unconscious for five days. “When I woke up, the first thing I asked my father was, ‘Abba, am I disabled?’” Yehuda recalled. “He looked me in the eye and said, ‘You’ll run a marathon.’ I believed him. His words gave me strength.”

And the miracle began.

Just one week after surgery, Yehuda was moved from intensive care to the regular surgical unit. A month and a half later, he began rehabilitation at the Reuth Medical Center in Tel Aviv, in the young adult rehab wing.

“My family was so hopeful, but for me, it was tough,” Yehuda remembers. “But then, slowly, my legs started moving a little. Each small movement was huge for me.”

He described Reuth as a place of heart and healing. “Every morning, someone helped me get out of bed, brush my teeth, wash up, and get to the dining room. They didn’t just do a job they cared.”

His days were filled with physical therapy, occupational therapy, and even psychological support. There was a gym, a healing garden, and many therapeutic activities. Step by step, Yehuda began walking again. First with a walker. Then with crutches. And now on his own.

After many months, Yehuda transitioned to day rehab and was eventually released. “I still have a long road ahead,” he says. “I still take pain medicine every night. But I’m so thankful.”