How an Israeli with cerebral palsy enlisted in the IDF

For the past two years, wheelchair-bound Roi Schiffman has volunteered at Palmahim Air Force Base with the help of JNF’s 'Special in Uniform' program.

FEBRUARY 10, 2019 09:20

Updated: FEBRUARY 11, 2019 16:10

"Our dream was to see Roi become a soldier in the Israeli army just like everybody else," said Roi’s mother. (photo credit: SPECIAL IN UNIFORM) — "Our dream was to see Roi become a soldier in the Israeli army just like everybody else," said Roi’s mother.

(photo credit: SPECIAL IN UNIFORM)

Roi Schiffman is not your average IDF recruit. Despite the odds Schiffman - who was born with cerebral palsy, a condition that causes partial paralysis - was drafted into the IDF on Thursday.

"We decided to raise Roi like any a normal child and expose him to anything and everything that other children his age are exposed to," Schiffman's father said.

"Our dream was to see Roi become a soldier in the Israeli army just like everybody else," said Roi’s mother.

For the past two years Schiffman, who is wheelchair-bound, volunteered at the Palmahim Air Force Base. He was helped by Jewish National Fund’s (JNF-USA) "Special in Uniform" program, which aids youths with disabilities integrate into the IDF.

"I am an officer on an air force base, and it's the greatest time in my life," Schiffman said regarding his volunteer work.

Schiffman excelled during his volunteer experience and caught the attention of former defense minister Avigdor Liberman, who later helped Schiffman obtain an official draft notice from the IDF.

"Our dream was to see Roi become a soldier in the Israeli Army just like everybody else," said Schiffman's mother. “Being a part of Special in Uniform was a privilege, and Roi wanted to be drafted into his service from a military induction center, just like everybody else."