[VIDEO & PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] Alex Davidson’s interest in photography almost got him killed. Two years ago the teen climbed a telephone pole in search of the perfect angle for a photo. He slipped, falling 35 feet to the ground. On the way, his left arm touched a live wire, sending a jolt of 75,000 volts through his body and fusing metal bracelets to his arm. Paramedics got his heart going again, but the damage to his arm proved irreparable. The fall left him a paraplegic with significant health challenges. He missed a year of school while recuperating. He missed summer camp. Most of all, he missed his camera.This summer, Alex got a second chance at summer camp when he attended Camp Simcha Special, an overnight camp for children and teens with chronic illnesses and disabilities. After a fantastic Camp Simcha Special summer experience, Alexander (aka Avi) was about to board a plane back to Tampa, FL when Chai Lifeline made his dream come true. Sam Zaks showed up with a brand new Nikon D90, a gift from Chai Lifeline and an anonymous donor who met him last week during a visit to camp.
The new camera will allow him to resume photography, and take his craft to a new level , and Alex was clearly moved when he received the gift outside the Continental Airlines terminal at Newark Airport. He was ecstatic to be sharing the moment with his counselor and friends. As the pictures show, he could not stop smiling as the group crowded around him, singing and cheering in true Camp Simcha Special EPIC ’11 fashion.
Each summer, 400 seriously ill children are treated to unforgettable, medically supervised overnight camp experiences at Camp Simcha, for children battling cancer and other hematological illnesses, and Camp Simcha Special, for children with debilitating chronic conditions.
At Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special, children and teens trade hospital rooms and doctors’ offices for fun, friendship, and hope for the future. Campers enjoy traditional camp activities in fully handicapped-accessible facilities. Talent shows, concerts, and helicopter, hot-air, and motorcycle rides make every day super-special.
Camp Simcha Special is named in memory of Zvi Dovid Obstfeld.
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One Response
This video is absolutely amazing. Chai Lifeline is just one of the many amazing jewish organizations out there. I don’t even want to think how klal yisrole would survive without an organization ike Chai Lifeline.
Mi Kamcha Yisroel.
My only bracha is that they should not be needed and go out of business.