Nikita Orlov, 25, a former Air Force soldier and kickboxing athlete, dreamed of participating in Ninja Israel, and was even invited to participate in an audition, which he did not manage to attend. A sudden car accident interrupted his dream in an instant.
The accident occurred about three years ago, in his hometown of Beersheba, when Nikita was riding his bicycle at a crosswalk. A passing vehicle, which did not give him the right of way, hit him and Nikita was very seriously injured. For three months he was anesthetized and on a ventilator. When he woke up, he found that he was paralyzed in all four limbs. The doctors were not optimistic, they did not think that he would be able to walk again.
The outstanding athlete found it difficult to come to terms with the thought that his athletic career was cut short and from now on his whole life would depend on others, he sank into a deep depression and almost gave up.
Nikita Orlov. Dreaming of returning to sporting life, photo: in the family's libels
However, his partner, Karina Namukaev, who was by his side all that time, did not let him give up, decided to fight for him and investigate the issue in depth. She sought groundbreaking developments and innovative medical treatments that could restore Nikita's ability to stand on his feet, or at least restore his independence.
That's how she heard about a revolutionary surgery in Thailand, in which electrodes are implanted in the spine, which stimulate renewed movement in the limbs. With a new belief in life and a desire to become independent again, Nikita embarked on the new journey of his life, underwent surgery and was successful.
Against all the predictions of doctors, Nikita regained the ability to move her arms and legs. But Nikita's journey is not over and these days he needs intensive rehabilitation treatments and innovative stem cell treatments, which help heal the spine.
Nikita Orlov. On better days before the accident, photo: courtesy of the family
These treatments are also taking place in Thailand, and are supposed to last about two years. Treatment costs are expected to amount to hundreds of thousands of shekels – a sum Nikita does not have, so he decided to launch a fundraising campaign that will last until September 27 and to this end asks for the help of the masses, in order to fulfill his new dream, to walk, and his old dream, to become an athlete.
"In my darkest moments, I discovered the strength within me and through love and determination, I learn to walk again. I learned that life's challenges don't define us, it's really important how we choose to overcome them.
The challengers may have knocked me down, but they will never keep me down. I want to go back to sports, kickboxing, but I also want to be able to do the most trivial thing, like being able to scratch my nose," Nikita says.
Karina, his devoted partner, says: "Our love is not only in the good times. It is about standing together in the face of adversity. Nikita's strength on and off the court inspires me every day and reminds me that love can win even the toughest battles."
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