ExtremeCowboy

Matan Berman, a veteran of the canine Oketz Unit, a special division of the paratroopers, required a leg amputation after a bomb exploded while his unit was defusing explosive devices in Gaza in 2002. Matan suffered from extreme post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following this traumatic attack. TIKVOT came to his aid by helping him overcome his PTSD through a variety of sports – surfing, waterskiing, climbing and horse riding. “TIKVOT has given me the freedom to do any kind of sport in spite of my disability,” says Berman. “It makes me feel like I could conquer mountains!” Matan’s crowning achievement thus far took place in July 2018, when Israeli audiences watched spellbound as Matan worked through challenging obstacles while competing in the Israeli TV show Ninja Israel. At the end of the competition, one of the hosts, Niv Ruskin of Ninja Israel, summarized Matan’s inspiring performance with these words: “This man proves that there is no such thing as limitations.” In 2022 Matan has joined the Extreme Cowboy field and wants to give back to his fellow comrades. He wants to become a horse instructor and lead a group of wounded soldiers and terror victims. Lets give Matan the opportunity to follow his dream and help other soldiers and victims of terror do the same.