_____
From: Carolan Halpern [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, October 31, 2005 12:01
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: CJN story you wanted
<<neurosurgery for Israeli>>
Dear Mr. Weiss,
Here is a copy of the story that you asked Janice Arnold for.
I have attached it as a Word document. I hope this is OK. This is for your
personal use and cannot be reproduced in another publication without our
permission.
Good luck to the family you are hoping to help.
Carolan Halpern
Israeli terror victim free of seizures
after Neurosurgery
By JANICE ARNOLD
Staff Reporter
An Israeli teenager walked out of the Montreal Neurological Institute this month
free for the first time in his life from the daily epileptic seizures caused by
a Palestinian's stone-throwing.
Ahakim Simantov was six months old and riding with his parents and three
siblings near their home in the West Bank settlement of Ofra, when the stone
smashed through the car window and hit the baby in the head. That night in May
1990 changed the family's life forever.
His skull was crushed, leaving him with permanent brain damage; he cannot read
or do math, and he has weakness on his right side. The seizures grew more
frequent in recent years, often occurring more than once a day, and medication
could no longer control them. There was concern his condition would further
deteriorate.
The Neuro is a world leader in the type of risky surgery that offered Ahakim his
only hope.
On Sept. 27, Dr. Andre Olivier performed the 10-hour operation, which was a
success, although only time will tell if its effect is permanent. On Oct. 16,
Ahakim and his parents, Meir and Edna Simantov, flew back to Israel and their
home, still in Ofra, in time for Sukkot and his 16th birthday Oct. 30.
His mother said the doctors can't tell yet if Ahakim will have seizures again;
they have been told it will be one year before conclusions can be made, and he
will continue to take drugs.
"We hope he will have no more seizures, but every day he does not have one is a
big day for us," she said. "The doctors were wonderful, and all of the nurses
and workers. We know it is the best place in the world."
With his mother translating, Ahakim admitted he was "very worried" before he
left Israel because of the risks associated with the surgery. His big smile is
evidence of how happy and relieved he is. "He laughs a lot. He loves jokes,"
said Edna.
Olivier made a five-by-five-centimetre incision in the boy's skull in order to
remove the scar tissue caused by the blow. It was an extremely delicate
procedure in order to avoid damage to the senses or motor movement.
The entire cost of Ahakim's treatment in Montreal and his parents' stay with him
was covered by the Israeli government, out of a fund for victims of terrorism.
Ahakim and his parents were also in Montreal last May for a couple of weeks to
undergo evaluation by Olivier and neurologist Frederick Andermann, both
recognized internationally for their expertise in epilepsy.
This was also covered by Israel.
"I think it's remarkable that a small country like Israel, that is so
constrained financially, does not spare any expense or effort to see that
victims of terrorism receive the best treatment possible," said Charles Roth, a
McGill University mathematics professor who helped make the connection between
the Simantov family and Andermann at the Neuro, which is part of the McGill
University Health Centre. Roth has a cousin living in Ofra and that is how he
heard about Ahakim's story.
"I was terribly shocked by this despicably cruel terrorist attack on a
six-month-old baby," he said. "He and his whole family have had to suffer the
consequences ever since."
Matti Erlichman, the pediatrician at Jerusalem's Shaare Zedek Hospital who has
treated Ahakim since the time he was brought into the emergency ward bleeding
profusely, accompanied the family to Montreal in May and for the surgery. On
this latest trip, Erlichman came at his own expense for the first two weeks as a
"vacation."
Erlichman downplayed his part. "The parents do not speak English so well and it
was their first time outside Israel," he said, "and I have followed Ahakim
throughout his life and know his case so well. It's part of the work of a
physician." Erlichman observed the surgery and was impressed with the doctors'
skill and the level of technology.
After the attack, Ahakim was operated on immediately at Hadassah Hospital. His
life was saved, but the damage could not be reversed. Ahakim attended a regular
school, but had to switch to a special school a few years ago.
Despite his difficulties, Ahakim has an engaging personality and a terrific
sense of humour.
The Simantovs are religious and their stay in Montreal both this fall and last
May was made much easier by Bikur Cholim, a volunteer organization in the
Orthodox community. They found the family homes to stay in, picked them up at
the airport, took them to medical appointments and brought food every day to the
hospital. They were never alone on Shabbat or for the High Holy Days (Ahakim was
discharged on Erev Rosh Hashanah). When the September surgery was delayed by a
week, they made it more pleasant by organizing outings and activities.
Edna said she was especially grateful to Leah Feldman and Esther Goldberg for
co-ordinating Bikur Cholim's around-the-clock efforts for the family.
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