When sirens signaling an incoming rocket attack sound in Ashkelon, Naomi and Nissim Morvia tremble in fear, aware that in their wheelchairs, they have no where to run or hide. They remain in their home and pray for a miracle, that incoming rockets will not strike them.

Naomi explains, “There is no one to assist us. We are alone. We tremble in fear for we realize we are cannon fodder”.

Naomi continues to explain “We thought it was all behind us when we left Sderot, but the rockets followed us to Ashkelon. I do not know what to do. Even the impact of the rocket is a threat, for it may tumble us out of the wheelchair and there is no one to pick us up. The situation is really bad.” The situation is that much worse for the handicapped and hearing impaired she explains, asking who will assist them.

The Ministry of Welfare has distributed vibrating pagers to many deaf people to permit them to know when sirens are sounding. Officials explain the situation is difficult and there are many physically impaired residents in rocket-stricken areas and their fear is far worse than the fear of people capable of running and protecting themselves.

Officials in the Akim organization working with the handicapped reports they are aware of 1,500 handicapped residents in rocket range, stating some are profoundly disabled and unable to address the demands of the new threats. Akim is working with social workers and other professionals, addressing the psychological aspect of the attacks, which in many cases lead to breakdowns of cases of violence as residents are unable to cope.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)