Special in Uniform

This September, Lend a Hand to the Special Child organization is starting a new program for the coming year, which will determine the future of 100 young people with special needs. Your contribution will enable Noam, Avia and Gil to participate in a program that will integrate them into mainstream society, the IDF and, eventually, the workforce, a program where they will acquire life skills that will enable them to lead productive, independent lives, to give of themselves, to love and be loved. You can be the driving force behind our program. Let’s give them a lift – so we can all succeed – together. Eli, the father of Noam, a special needs teen about to begin our program, shares his thoughts: When he was younger, as a child, he was still considered ‘cute.’ He always had the most devoted volunteers. They showered him with love and warmth. He attended a school for special needs children and acquired basic skills . . . . and smiled, really smiled. But as the years passed, a fear inside of me grew bigger and bigger – a fear of the day when Noam would turn 18. I dreaded it, that moment when Noam would turn from a special needs child to a special needs adult. I would wake up from nightmares where I saw my Noam unemployed, depressed and lonely. Who will support him when I am no longer around? Will he find his place in a community? Will he find work? Will someone love him? All the concerns of a father for his son. And today, we’ve reached that crossroad; Noam turned 18 and we have to decide – what will he do next year? I met some amazing people waiting at this crossroad, just at the right spot, from an organization called Special in Uniform. They work to integrate hundreds of special young people like my Noam into the IDF and the work force. This wonderful project requires a lot of resources. And I turn to you, together with them, and ask: Give us a lift so that – together - we can succeed. Noam, Avia and Gil – they can all become independent. They are all capable of contributing to our wonderful country and joining its work force. They all deserve the chance to love and be loved. They just need a little lift to reach the right address for success. And I want to take this opportunity to thank anyone who decides right now to become part of this unique project – and help my Noam.