28.10.2020 This is a date that the Maman family from Netanya will never forget. At 19:30, the phone rang at the family home, on the Magen David Adom line. Ben Maman, the 17-year-old eldest child, had a serious accident after a motorcycle passed a red light and collided head-on with a motorcycle he was riding at the intersection of the old industrial area in the city. Thus the life of one of the promising football players in the Youth Premier League has completely changed.
Ben, who worked as a pizza deliveryman to help with his family’s difficult financial situation, was anesthetized and respirated for a period of time with multiple systemic injuries and underwent quite a few surgeries. The spleen exploded, the kidney and liver were damaged, the shoulder was completely dislocated and the most severe injury was to the dominant left leg, an injury that required amputation of the entire leg.
Seven years after he started playing football at Betar Tobruk and was supposed to be the next Eyal Golsa, at one point his career was cut short. He was the captain of the youth team, the top scorer, and every week scouts from the big clubs would come to see him try to get his hands on the talent.
“I saw him play, there are no such things,” he said Eyal Golsa, Who often talks to the child even today when he is at Safra Children’s Hospital in Tel Hashomer, where he will remain for many more months in rehabilitation. “Ben progressed at an abnormal pace. His left leg is something you don’t see every day. Beyond that he had excellent jumping, passion, leadership and wisdom that would lead him to the highest levels in Israel,” said the coach who often visits him. Genia Feldman.
The left leg is the amputated leg. His agenda begins with sedatives and inflammation, continues with injections, psychological treatments, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. All in order to get to the point where the prosthesis that is implanted in him will make his life, as much as possible, better.
“The problem is that prostheses cost a lot of money. 600,000 shekels only in the first stage and every few years they have to be replaced because there is wear and tear,” said the father. Shai Maman, Who until recently was a DJ, but the spread of the corona virus has hit him hard. In the morning he works in the sanitation department and from there continues to work further to support the house and take care of the two children, who are there waiting for the moment when Ben will return home. The happy mother does not move out of the child’s bed. Picks up, pushes, waits for the smile that characterized him, a smile that has not arrived for over two months.
“I found myself today in a situation where I am on the asking side and not the giving side, a side where I have been all my life. Everyone knows me, and where someone needed help I was always there. Today unfortunately the bank is already stopping loans because of the corona. “He works without sleeping to get him on his feet and waits for a miracle. Waiting for miracles that, with the help of the name, people will donate and open their hearts. I do not ask for food, I just want to give my child back the joy of life.”
In his spare time, Ben’s girlfriend comes to visit. The incident did not make her think after five years of giving up who would be her husband. The actors from Tobruk and friends from home come occasionally, but at night, when no one hears or sees, he stays with himself and cries. “I will not lie to you, he also had suicidal thoughts. As soon as there are people he is fine, but as soon as they leave he sinks into thoughts,” says the father.
Ben Maman A close fan of Antoine Griezmann. In his dreams he saw how one day he would reach that level. Today he just wants one thing: “If until two months ago I thought what it would be like to be a football player, today I just want to go like everyone else. I had a dream of being a Griezmann because I would imitate his movements on the field like a parrot. I do not wish anyone the The pain and frustration I go through. “
What do you remember?
“Nothing. I was told I had come to turn left and a motorcycle came from the other side and entered me after passing a red light. I have thoughts of how they will accept me in society, how people I know and those I do not know will look at me. Mentally I am crushed. How will I go out with shorts? “What will society think? How will I get to the sea? Or what will my 7-year-old brother say when I come home with a metal leg?”
Are you scared?
“It is impossible not to. My biggest fear is that I will not be able to walk like all people. Such a leg is very expensive and we do not have these sums. You see, my dream was cut short in one moment. I will no longer be what I wanted to be, what I have worked for all my life. I can not describe the pain to you. “
Apart from Golsa, other players decided to contribute to reach the goal required for a quality prosthesis. On social media, some of them went out in a campaign calling for more to come and help.
You can donate to account No. 358971 named after Shai Maman, Bank Hapoalim, Branch 612 Netanya. You can also use the bit app at numbers 053-7303132, 054-7779087. You can also donate in the PayBox app.
