Tikkun Olam

This reminds me of my daughter, who is now starting cycling for the disabled with a group called " Etgarim ' ('etgarim' means 'challenges' in English. Please 'like' their Facebook page ).  This 42 year old paraplegic man went cross country in his wheelchair .  Only took him 99 days.  In the course of his trek, he positively influenced many people to believe in themselves, not limit themselves to what others think they can or cannot do, and to follow their dreams and never give up. Similarly, a younger paraplegic who was born with Spina Bifida just last month completed his journey across the United States, in 71 days. (watch video below).  They are--as is my daughter--proving that every person, regardless of disability, has a chance to do what they set out to do.  It just takes attitude, perseverance, and belief in oneself...

My daughter, who has been in a wheel chair for almost two years has told me her own horror stories about navigating the Tel Aviv streets and sidewalks.  These--streets and sidewalks--were not built in the early years for accessibility.  No one had any idea what that was. The disabled were in essence shunted aside, and were effectively excluded from  typical activities which we consider to be 'normal' and which are totally accessible in the United States, such as traveling by bus to a restaurant, being able to enter the restaurant and sitting at a table, going shopping at the shuk (outdoor market), going to a movie--just to name a few.  There is very little in this young country which is accessible to people in wheelchairs.  Israel is somewhat like the United States was before the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act ,which was enacted in 1990 and amended in 2009 . The activities which I mentioned above being inaccessible are bad enough, but how a...

This story reminds me of my daughter, who thank G-d is still a "fightereet" (Hebrew slang for "fighter').  But this young girl's ordeal is even worse than my daughter's, who thank G-d, although in constant pain which she needs to control daily, from RSD/CRPS ,  still has her limbs.  But both their attitudes--this young lady, and my 24 year old daughter in a wheelchair-- are positive, even infectious--you want to be around them, they are so upbeat about life.  And with G-d's help, they will both have a fulfilled, happy future.  

This is for all the disabled people out there, and also for those with debilitating diseases . So you say you 'can't dance?'  It took me a minute to see that the male dancer is...well, watch the video.  Then, watch the next two videos. And don't ever again say "I can't."

The Times of Israel has published an article about a new reality show depicting capable, intelligent women who are succeeding in their lives--and they are in wheelchairs!  My daughter, still with CRPS and in her wheelchair, has the strength of character to succeed in her life as well.  Read on... Women in wheelchairs push boundaries in real life and on TV In a trend of reality television, ‘Push Girls’ stands out for its non-sensational depiction of women who can’t walk but are also gorgeous, athletic and ambitious By Naomi Pfefferman June 11, 2012, 10:26 am The cast of 'Push Girls,' a new reality series. (photo credit: Sundance Channel) LOS ANGELES (Jewish Journal/JTA) — Mia Schaikewitz parked her shiny black Mitsubishi Eclipse in front of her graphic design office in Pasadena, California, looking glamorous in her ...

An Israeli young lady, disabled from age 24, wins the gold medal in a rowing competition for the disabled in Italy.  Unbelievable, but they forgot (!) to bring the CD with the Israeli national anthem, Hatikvah.  So Moran Samuel took the microphone, and sang it herself.  Solo.  Watch and listen to what she says about having a disability. Can you imagine a country, hosting a sports competition, 'forgetting' to bring a participant country's national anthem?  Can you imagine them forgetting a different country's national anthem CD, say, the United States'? Or maybe even Saudi Arabia's? Now, I don't know whether or not Saudi Arabia participated--oh wait, they couldn't have; at the very least, they couldn't have sent a woman ; women probably aren't allowed to row in Saudi Arabia, I mean, they're not allowed to drive, so...? So the competition organizers didn't think that Israel stood a chance to win (let alone the gold medal)? Well,...

Here is a musical young man whom everyone should see and take inspiration from.  (Hat tip to my friend George; if not for him, I never would have seen this.)   There are many layers to life; what we may consider a handicap may turn out to be Hashem's blessing, in unfathomable ways. . .