Montreal physiotherapist preparing to volunteer in Israel to help war wounded

A Montreal physiotherapist is hoping to fly to Israel soon to help those injured in the war.

Richard Bouzaglou, who has been working as a physiotherapist in Montreal for the past 25 years, says it’s important for him to assist as he can.

“I’m hoping to use my skills as a physiotherapist to go and help the victims of the atrocities that happened in Israel and as well as any other types of victims that would need physiotherapy,” Bouzaglou told CityNews.

“Israel is my land, even though I’m born here. Israel and the Jewish people are my people. This is my land. These are my brothers and sisters. And I feel the need to go in and help and lend a hand in whichever form possible.”

Bouzaglou says some physiotherapists and support workers in Israeli hospitals are also soldiers that have to be mobilized, so there is a need for more staff.

“It’s going to be rehabilitation after gunshot wounds, rehabilitation after fractures, falls, contusions, any type of MSK (musculoskeletal) injury.”

Bouzaglou would be working as a volunteer but still needs an Israeli professional permit to work there; he is currently waiting for the Israeli government’s approval.

“They will get a rapid equivalency of my degree here in Quebec, in Israel, so I could get certified temporarily as a physiotherapist to practise in Israel.”

There is no specific day that Bouzaglou is set to leave for Israel, but he is working with a medical “organization” to help him get there. He says it could be any day.

He adds he is hoping to be assigned to Jerusalem where his son has been studying since last month.

“I would have to go myself to Israel once I get the green light and find a place to stay and do whatever I have to do to, to live and then go work every day as a volunteer,” he said.

Bouzaglou admits he is aware of the risk of working in Israel during the war, but says it’s the right thing to do.

“I have faith that if I’m doing the right thing, then I’ll be protected,” he said. “So I am not really worried. There’s a little inch of worry in the back because it’s kind of normal to be worried. But I’m going in full force and my full faith.”