It all began with “Hi, Mum” in a doctor’s office. Ilya needed an examination before surgery. The doctor had to pass a camera through his nostril to check his airways. His mother was very worried and kept telling him what to do and how to do it.
Each time, Ilya calmly replied, “Hi, Mum!” If you had heard his tone, you would have laughed too.
Ilya’s family had recently immigrated to Israel, and the language barrier made speaking with doctors difficult.
Milana Meyerovich (Milana Mirzayev) was there to interpret. She could not help asking his mother, Lena, why he kept greeting her.
It turned out that, rather than telling his mother to leave him alone in public, they had agreed he would say “Hi, Mum”.
We kept laughing while talking with Ilya. Humour is his strength.
Ilya has been through difficult treatment: a brain tumour, brain surgery, removal of his thyroid gland and chemotherapy.
All this has seriously affected his movement and speech. But humour keeps helping him cope and move forward.
His dream was to meet a famous comedian. Ilia Akselrod helped us make it happen.
Ilia took Ilya backstage, let him stand on stage and showed him the preparations for the show. They sat at a table and talked. At one point, they fell silent and simply looked at each other. Ilia Akselrod is more than a famous comedian and stand-up performer: he is thoughtful, modest, successful and kind.
We are sure he gave our Ilya a wonderful example of how to be a star while staying open and down-to-earth.
Ilya was accompanied by his mother and our two Nadyas:
Nadia Shohat and @Надя Лиэль Климович.
So there they were: two Ilyas and two Nadyas. All Lena had to do was make a wish and believe it would come true.
Thank you, Ilia Akselrod, for being part of Ilya’s dream and for giving us the best seats in the front row. Ilya smiled and applauded, his eyes shining. We are sure his dream now is to grow up and become a famous performer. Perhaps time will pass and you will forget this boy, until he reminds you of himself from the stage. And there, in the best seats in the front row, will be his favourite stand-up teacher, Ilia Akselrod!

After the show, our Nadyas took Ilya and his mother to a restaurant.
The day ended at 2 in the morning. Ilya returned home happy.
And we happily ticked off another dream: FULFILLED!

Make miracles happen for others, and your own world will shine with colour.