Haggai is suffering from the Guillain-Barré Syndrome, known as GBS. If you wish you can learn about this by clicking here.

I spoke to Haggai on the phone this afternoon: his mother put the phone to his ear so that he could hear me and I asked him to permit me to visit him next Sunday afternoon (he doesn't permit many visitors because he has his pride). He authorized my visit because I threatened dire consequences if he did not (

Whatever email messages reach me by Sunday morning (GMT+3) I shall take with me and read to him.

After speaking to his mother I understand that the prognosis is now that he will eventually recover, but it could take some months of gradually weakening paralysis. After recovery he should be able to resume his normal life.

He has a breathing tube going into his throat so he could not speak even if his paralysis were not preventing this. He was able to mouth the words "yes" and "no" and rolls his eyes a lot. I printed out all the messages I had received for him and asked him if he wanted me to read them. He said yes, but when I stopped for a moment he spelled out on a board the word 'slow'. I asked him if he wanted me to read slower, but he closed his eyes. I asked if he was in pain and he mouthed 'yes'. So we agreed that I would leave the messages with him to have them read to him when he felt better.

His family have arranged for friends and relatives to be with him constantly in three daily shifts. When I arrived he was attended by a [very hunky ] friend, who was later replaced by Haggai's mother. There are lots of messages and photos pinned onto a notice board - particularly a large photo of the thousands who took part in the Jerusalem Pride March which Haggai created 'out of nothing' - but I don't think that Haggai can see these from his bed because he would have to raise his head, which he cannot do. (While I was there he asked - via the spelling board - for a nurse to come and turn him over. It is so piteous.)

I offered to bring a book to read to him next time, which he accepted, but I have no idea of his taste in literature (and C & N has not yet been translated into Hebrew!) He needs something to occupy his mind. He has dozens of cd's (through headphones) and dozens of videos. I think that next time I shall take with me a trivia game to which all the answers are yes or no. Any ideas where I can find such a game that is not inane? (Remember, Haggai has a doctorate in astrophysics!)

I tried to being support to his family, and they are putting on a brave face. His mother, however, is obviously under strain: she told me that 'today is the 53rd day of his complete paralysis', so she is counting. It could go on for months.

For me, the most difficult moment was when a nurse came in to give Haggai his lunch. The nurse stuck a syringe into a socket on Haggai's wrist and injected his meal. It was over in 15 seconds.

I shall visit him again sometime in the next two weeks. Any advice on means of intelligent communication will be gratefully accepted.

Before I left I gave him my blessing. I told him that when he recovers he can either thank me or berate me for doing so - depending on his attitude at the time