“Don’t worry, a lot of people recoil when they see me,” he says with a gentle smile to put us at ease.
SPACESUIT FOR AN EARTHMAN When Raphi was 14 he received assistance from a surprising source: NASA. “NASA has special space suits for their astronauts that protect them from radiation when they go on space missions. It was a long shot but maybe they could make something for me” (Photos: Ezra Trabelsi Family archives)
This wasn’t an easy interview to conduct:
not because the subject wasn’t forthcoming — in fact, he was personable and articulate; or that he had something to hide — actually, he was extremely open about his condition. The problem was with me and my own discomfort — during the first few minutes, I wasn’t sure what to do with myself as I sat facing a man with a most unusual appearance.
Despite the brutal Bnei Brak heat, my host was wearing several layers of clothing one on top of the other, with tzitzis peeking out from beneath the garments. His hands were covered in special, fully opaque gloves.
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