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HARTSDALE - As Israel marks its 60th anniversary of independence this month, 15-year-old Asael Shabo is a reminder that the conflict continues. Six years ago, a gunman stormed his Israeli home and murdered his mother and three brothers.

Shabo survived the attack by pretending to be dead - but at a price. He lost his right leg and has walked on crutches since.

Continuing to rebound, Shabo came to New York this week to raise money for a prosthetic leg. He made a stop at the Solomon Schechter School of Westchester yesterday and spoke about his journey. "When I was injured, I never dreamed I'd be able to do anything again," Shabo said. "That's why I began playing sports, because it was not only fun but it helped me get through the horror I went through." Members of the group Tikvot, a charity in Israel that aids terror victims and injured soldiers, have helped Shabo recover by building his confidence.

"We found the best way for him to rehabilitate was to take him onto a sports field," said Rocky Muravitz, Tikvot's founder. "We wanted to make him feel like a winner again."

Six years later, Shabo swims, bikes and even Rollerblades and water-skis with ease. His goal is to compete in the triathlon in the 2012 Paralympics in London.

His ambition and upbeat look on life was the result of a long journey he's taken since that life-changing day in 2002. Shabo was watching TV in the living room when a gunman burst in, spraying bullets in every direction. Shabo was shot in the leg and watched his three brothers die. He laid motionless on the ground. "The terrorist kicked me in the head to see if I was alive but I kept my eyes closed," Shabo said. "But then I heard the terrorist go upstairs where my mom was and I heard her scream."

The gunman killed his mother instantly and shot his sister - who survived - in the stomach. Nearby Israeli soldiers then stormed the house and engaged the gunman in a messy gunfight that set the house on fire. The gunman died shortly thereafter.

Shabo's father and two other siblings weren't at home when the attack happened and are still alive today. After his leg was amputated due to the gunshot wound, he sat for two years in an Israeli hospital emotionally cold to others. Then he met Tikvot volunteers and Etgarim, a group involved in disabled sports. "I remember putting him on a boat and finally seeing him smile," said Guy Solomon, Etgarim's vice president. "It was the first time in his life that he felt freedom." Several students at the Solomon Schechter School said they saw Shabo as a source of inspiration. "He makes me feel like I can do anything," said Allison Brustman, 13, of Scarsdale.

"When the students meet someone going through this extreme challenge, it gives them perspective," said Nellie Harris, the school's principal. "Asael helps them find a way to overcome their own problems and not to lose hope." Muravitz, of Tikvot, said Shabo came to the United States because the type of leg he needs isn't available in Israel. "Asael wants to run triathlon, and they just have regular prosthetic legs in Israel," he said. "What he needs is a running leg."

After visiting the students in Hartsdale, Tikvot took Shabo to a prosthetic limb center in Long Island. For the first time in six years, Shabo was able to stand upright on two legs. "I feel incredible," he said in a phone interview. "It's a little hard to move around, but I'm going to get used to it."

Shabo's leg will cost Tikvot $70,000.

Muravitz said the group right now has about half that amount and is trying to raise the rest. Donations can be made by calling 646-256-2595 or by e-mailing tikvotsports@gmail.com.