Blind man’s story at YCQ

Grade 8 students at Yeshiva of Central Queens were privileged on Oct. 5, with a visit from a former YCQ student, Rabbi Lavi Greenspan. He described what led to his blindness at the age of 26, the struggles he went through, and what he has accomplished during his journey.  

After graduating from YCQ, Rabbi Greenspan continued his education at Yeshivah of Flatbush, Yeshiva University and eventually at Fordham Law School. Shortly after he started law school, he began experienced some health problems which led him to a diagnosis of Cushing’s Disease and the finding of a benign tumor right below his brain requiring two surgeries to remove it.

The first was a nine-hour open-head surgery and the second, a six-hour operation through his nose. He says, “I owe tremendous gratitude to Ha’Kadosh Baruchu that they were successful.”  After recovery, he returned to law school.

A few months later, his doctor found a cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leak requiring another operation. Though his doctor said it was successful, that was not the case; yet again he headed to the hospital for another operation. During one summer, he underwent four operations, and though he had some vision issues, the doctors said his vision would not be 20/20, but it would be restored over time and thankfully he was able to see just fine.

Several months later Rabbi Greenspan found another problem as a result of the surgeries and required yet another operation. After recovering, he began radiation treatment to remove what was left of his previous tumor. He hoped this would be the last of his hospitalizations. However, while visiting family, he began to have minor accidents as a result of his vision. The opthomologist said he should not be concerned, then he lost the vision in his left eye.

With the support of his family, he began hyperbaric chamber treatment to maintain what was left of his vision. While in treatment he was running a high fever, he wanted to leave but his nurse persuaded him to stay and be monitored.

“I owe tremendous gratitude to Ha’Kadosh Baruchu that the nurse did not listen to me,” Rabbi Greenspan said. He had contracted meningitis, went through another operation, and around Chanukah time, eventually lost his sight completely. “That Chanukah was probably the most difficult Chanukah of my life.”

Despite the trials he had been through, he never gave up.

He was in the middle of law school and with the help of his sister, a lawyer and others, he completed his studies. Then came time for the bar exam. Just prior to the exam, his community in Hillcrest got over 30 volunteer Jewish lawyers to study with him. Not only did he overcome his obstacles to pass the Bar exam, he also received smicha from Yeshiva University. 

Rabbi Greenspan continues to inspire students and others through retelling how he overcame obstacles to reach his goals.

“He is inspirational and inspiring,” said Sam Verstandig, a YCQ eighth grade student, “he taught us very valuable life lessons.”

Another eighth grader, Aaron Poulad, said, “It was inspiring how even though he was blind, he said Baruch Hashem about everything. He has so much emunah.”