SNATCHED FROM DEATH by Geoff Tollman

2011. 118 pages + 25 pages of photos. 

Reviewed by Vera Freudmann 

Geoff and Tamara Tollman were looking forward to the birth of their child with great excitement. This was to be Tamara’s first, Geoff’s fourth. Tamara’s parents and Geoff’s mother, who had flown in from Argentina and South Africa respectively, and the three children of Geoff’s first marriage were all eagerly awaiting the report of the birth. But events took an unexpected turn when Geoff was taken aside to be told that his son had been born with severe and multiple abnormalities. In shock but refusing to accept the doctor’s opinion that the baby was unlikely to survive the night and that this would probably be for the best, Geoff called in a friend, an infant specialist, whose assessment was slightly more optimistic and gave Geoff the courage to start the fight for his son.

And so began a story of unfailing love, courage, optimism, determination and pride, in its best sense. Without any one of these the ending might have been different, but taken together they turned what could have been a tragic story into one of hope and joy.

The baby survived that first night. And then the second. And continued, if not to thrive, at least to survive. He remained at his birth weight and in hospital, constantly watched over and cared for by his utterly devoted parents, for ten weeks. A crisis at that point, during which they thought they might lose their precious son, brought home to them how committed they were to him by then, both emotionally and physically, and it was agreed that with the right equipment to hand, they could take him home and continue to care for him there. They had proved their ability to do so to the satisfaction of the medical personnel.

And so Gaby came home and from then on started to thrive and develop in spite of his continuing physical challenges and the mild brain damage he sustained during the transfer from the hospital where he was born to one with the facilities he needed. Today he is sturdy and strong, standing 1.86 meters tall and towering over his petite mother and tall father. He speaks Spanish and English as well as his native Hebrew. His speech is not easy to understand, but his personality and charm make the effort worthwhile. He has formed close bonds with a large extended family, and keeps in touch with all of them in spite of their being scattered around the world. He has hobbies and interests. He is an artist,  a keen photographer and handles the computer and all the technology so beloved of young persons today.

And best of all, he holds down a job and is happily married and the father of two young children.

Geoff writes with pride and emotion. It’s clear that without his and Tamara’s strong personalities and drive Gaby would not have made the progress he has and would not have achieved the satisfying life that is now his. He tells the story of a close and united family, of his five children and many grandchildren and the total devotion of all of them to Gaby’s welfare. 

All this is accompanied by many anecdotes about life in Israel through the many years that Geoff has been in the country. The stories he tells of the growth of his own venture and its success show a person of great business acumen. He has fitted a great deal into his years and much of it has been for the benefit of other people. There is a mine of information about bringing up a child with special needs. The progress that has been made in this country in this area is heartwarming and can fill all of us with pride. Israel is a leader in this field thanks to the efforts of people like Geoff, Tamara and other personalities who are credited in this book with making a huge difference to the lives of those who may seem to have been singled out for particular hardship.

Geoff’s final message is an uplifting one. He gives Gaby credit for his impressive achievements in life. He explains how much his son means to him and why. And when he says that he looks on the arrival of such a child not as a family tragedy but as an opportunity and a challenge, and tells the reader how fortunate and blessed he feels, one does indeed believe him and wish him many more years of joy surrounded by his beloved family.

Snatched from Death is available at NIS50.from ESRA Magazine, tel: 09 956 5728, esramag@esra.org.il and from ESRA’s bookshops.