n the words of Limor, Noah's mother "When Noam and I first met Rav Rafi
in Melbourne, I was desperate. Noam was an angry little boy, nearly
nonverbal, with behavior that was getting worse by the day."
Noam, a young child with
Down syndrome, came to the Feuerstein Institute a little over a year
ago. When he arrived, his mother was frantic for help. Her son,
frustrated by his lack of ability to communicate, was angry and
aggressively acting out. He struggled in the nursery program in which he
was enrolled. His parents were told to send him to special school, a
prospect which they dreaded, and brought them great sadness as well
despair. Fortunately, they met Rabbi Rafi Feuerstein and learned about
the Feuerstein Institute. He told them that they would be able to help
Noam if he came to Jerusalem for intensive assessment and treatment.
While Limor was nervous at the prospect of leaving behind her husband
and two other children, as well as her job for six weeks, she was amazed
at the generosity of her family, friends, colleagues and community.
With their support, she was able to bring Noam to Jerusalem for the six
weeks of therapy that he needed.
Limor was amazed to see
changes in her son right away. In her own words, "Hana Nakav and her
staff showed me a Noam I never knew existed. They gave me hope when I
honestly had no more left. During his time at the Institute, Noam
'woke-up,' and began to see the world around him. More importantly I
began to show him the world. I was and am still amazed at how the
Feuerstein techniques could change a child in six short weeks." For
Limor and her family, Noam's trip to Israel turned out to be a truly
life changing experience.
Noam continues to progress. Limor recently sent to the staff the following letter, marking Noam's progress one year later.
"Dear Feuerstein Institute Staff,
Last week marked the
beginning of the school year here in Australia. Noam turned six in
November, which is the age most children start school. Noam started
school - Noam started a mainstream school!!! My dreams have come true
and Naish and I are so proud to announce that Noam will be in a
mainstream school with the support of an aide!
We would like to thank you
all for your work with Noam and I while we were in Israel, and would
like you to know that without you, I know we would not have come this
far! Noam is thriving; he is talking more, understanding more and is
growing into an amazing young boy who continues to inspire us, his
family and everyone who meets him.
With love,
Limor, Naish and NOAM!!!"
