2024-03 Israel

Israel 33,

April 17, 2024,

Hi Everyone,

I was up at 5:30 this morning to join my MDA team at Bat Yam near Tel Aviv at 6:45. The hotel is kind enough to supply me with a light breakfast before leaving. Although the morning started quietly, we were busy all day. As usual, as soon as we finished 1 call, we received another one, never returning to our base for a rest.

I met 2 young high school students who were volunteers with MDA and may continue in the medical field. Both would like to come to Canada to ski with me one day. The driver was a medic with a lot of experience. The para-medic who was responsible for the team was doing his first shift with MDA. I was very impressed with his professionalism. In multiple cases, in what I would consider to be stressful situations, he was able to control the atmosphere by the calm way in which he took control of the situation and had an immediate calming effect on the patient. He knew how to speak with the patient and immediately gained the confidence of the patient. The entire staff present, as well as family and friends were put at easy by the way he spoke and at the same time, his direct and competent actions. The other p-m was still in training with MDA and is in the IDF. Eventually he will be a p-m with the army. This will of course involve more trauma cases. He would like to go into medicine in the future.

I have been in Israel for 5 weeks now. I am very impressed with the Israeli population. Israel has managed to integrate people coming from all over the world. Most of course are Jewish, however their beliefs vary greatly from secularism to the very religious. They have 1 thing in common, which is their dedication to Israel. In spite of the war which has gone on for 6 months, life continues as usual for most people. We have rocket attacks everyday but the people are not tense and seem to take it in their stride. I like the way they great each other in a friendly manner. They seem to be very together as a nation in spite of the serious political differences. They are sorry for the lack of understanding in other countries, but rejoiced when they received the help given to them by the US, GB, France and even certain Arab nations during the rocket attack by Iran.

Love,

Brian

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