Revived on the Railway: A Journey of Faith and Survival

At first glance, Hadara Chazan seems like any other woman. But her unwavering faith sets her apart, especially for someone her age (26). As she recounts her story, the picture becomes clearer.

We met over hot cocoa (which eventually turned into indulgent Belgian waffles), to hear her tale while savoring her company.

"I was born and raised in Antwerp, Belgium," Hadara begins. "The Orthodox community in Antwerp is close-knit. Everyone knows each other, praying at the same synagogues and visiting the same doctors, much like family. I'm the second child among five siblings. My childhood was happy; we lived in an amazing community, and I have wonderful siblings. I led a peaceful life in Belgium. I was a lively, loving, and beloved child. At 14, a routine school check-up revealed a heart murmur, and that's when I began to realize I might be different from others."

Hadara mentions that initially, her parents weren't alarmed. She was referred to a cardiologist who explained she was born with a heart defect. "I have a condition called restrictive cardiomyopathy, meaning the heart muscle is thicker, causing irregular blood flow and shortness of breath. My heart physically takes time to expand." It was then she understood why she was often short of breath when running.

How did you continue functioning after such news?

"Like any normal person. After high school, at 18, most girls in Belgium go to seminaries in the US or London, and many travel to Israel. A minority attend university together in Belgium to avoid being alone among non-Jews. I chose to study in Israel. Back then, I thought seminary was a 'waste of time.' But now I regret it, realizing it provides lifelong tools."

Hadara's sister got engaged, and her wedding was set in Israel. "I planned to attend her wedding and stay for studies. Man plans, and Hashem laughs," she notes humorously.

What do you mean by 'Hashem laughs'?

"A week and a half before flying to Israel for the wedding, I decided I deserved a break. I planned a trip with friends to a family vacation home in Knokke, about two hours from Antwerp. Most friends canceled due to the heat, so I traveled alone, meeting a friend there whose family owns the place. I needed to take two trains: one from Antwerp to Bruges, and another from Bruges to Knokke. I remember buying a ticket, waiting, and starting my morning prayers. That's it."

The next thing Hadara recalls is waking up connected to many machines, struggling to breathe with extreme rib, lung, and chest pain. Her appearance had changed drastically. "My mom, dad, and sister were there, looking..." she pauses, "they looked sad."

"The events I'm recounting were told to me, as I don't remember. I had cardiac arrest boarding the second train. People often confuse cardiac arrest with a heart attack; the former is when the heart stops completely, making it more severe."

How did they find you? Who discovered it?

"The passengers took me off the train, thinking I'd fainted. There was a commotion, and no one knew what had happened. Hashem placed in my path Erwin, the station manager in Bruges, a non-Jew who remembered a CPR course from 1994, never having used it before. Rescue forces were called." Erwin later told them he saw her lifeless, refusing to give up. "Because I was near the tracks and needed a shock, rescue took time," she explains.

How long?

"20 minutes. Every minute in such situations is crucial."

Hadara notes that Erwin performed CPR until help arrived. "Erwin alternated with rescue efforts. He found a faint pulse and yelled, 'She has a pulse, don't give up on her!'"

"My next recollection was waking up in ICU, too weak to breathe independently. Tests showed I'd likely remain in a vegetative state. But my mother prayed fervently, holding my hand, seeking a sign. Eventually, I squeezed her hand, though initially dismissed as imagination by the doctors."

How did your parents react?

"In the final hours of my coma, my mom clasped my hand, pleading for a response. When I said 'Mom,' it was a breakthrough; I came out of coma slowly."

Despite grim predictions, Hadara began functioning, even writing a note expressing her desire to leave the hospital. Over weeks, she improved, eventually walking with ease. "Nothing's taken for granted," she reflects, appreciating even basic movement.

Hadara acknowledges, "If Hashem wants you here, you have a purpose. My challenge was a journey shared by family and friends. My personal test came during recovery with a pacemaker surgery. It meant I couldn't attend my sister's wedding. But after three months, I made it to study in Israel."

What helps you move forward and believe?

"My mother. Her faith and inspiration kept me strong. Seven years later, married and thankful to Hashem, I live a regular, happy life. Surviving cardiac arrest didn't change me; working on myself did. Life is about choices, and when faced with them, choose life."