What is needed to be a successful stock broker? A good eye for the ups and downs of the market is essential. Likewise organizational skills are vital for success as a secretary. But top of the list for success of an Ezer Mizion employee of any level is the ability to see, really see, the plight of an ill or disabled person and his family.
The Cancer Support Division is there, often moments after the diagnosis, to hold the hand of the family, assuring them that they will not go through this nightmare alone. Medical referral, medical advocacy is available no matter what time of day (or night). Big needs, small needs…all become of prime concern to Ezer Mizion. A Bar Mitzvah coming up in the family and the parents have no emotional stamina to handle it? Ezer Mizion will step in as surrogate parents organizing a lavish event ,everything from the bochur’s pshtel (young man’s speech)to the sisters’ hair. Forgot something at home? A volunteer from the Linked to Life Division will run to pick it up. Need a daily ride while patient is hospitalized? The Transportation Division will gladly accommodate your schedule. Living on soda and chips during a family member’s hospital stay? No problem. Attractive meals will be delivered asap. Homework getting neglected? Compassionate volunteers will take care of it for the duration and soon become part of the family, taking the kids out for ice cream when homework is done. Trips, birthday parties, professional counseling when the coping gets unbearable. Everything geared to needs of the patient and family.
And then comes the happy ending. Each member of the Ezer Mizion team rejoices with the family when that long-awaited day arrives. Not from afar. We’re right there. Forming two happy rows with those fortunate patients passing through, amid the cheers from all those who came to share their joy. As they reach the end of the line, they see a bell. Triumphantly, they pull the rope and the bell chimes its own mazel tov. Then off they go towards the elevators and a normal, healthy life. Teens, children, infants in mommy’s arms all have their turn in the limelight ensconced between the two rows of cheering love.
And that love permeates each Ezer Mizion division. A highlight of the Special Needs Division is the Summer Camp. Schneur is one of the hundreds of children who look forward to camp all year. Schneur is approximately eight years old but cannot speak. His family loves him. A clip shows his two younger sisters patting him, their only means of communicating their goodbyes. His mother bends over to button his shirt, her last motherly show of affection until he returns. His father kisses him goodbye and begins to wheel his suitcase towards the registration desk. And Schneur himself? Schneur is running ahead of his family, so anxious to begin camp.
As much as they love him, having a special needs child in the family is beyond difficult. It affects every moment of their day and often does not allow for the simplest normal aspects of family life. Yes, they love him dearly but the family also looks forward to a much needed break during which they can enjoy the summer pastimes as a normal family. Schneur, however understands none of that. He thinks of camp as a mini Gan Eden where each activity is geared especially for him. His abilities, his disabilities, his likes, his dislikes. His one-on-one counselor makes sure that every minute enables him to build on the skills he has developed and is fun fun, fun!
