A Hesed Relieves Suffering for Families With Disabled Children

Peter was very ill when he was born, and the doctors told his mother that he would not live for more than a month. He had an open spinal cerebral hernia that caused paralysis of his lower extremities. Over the course of three years, Peter survived 2 five-hour neurological operations, which he almost did not survive. He was also admitted into the hospital six times for other specialized surgeries.

Due to the many economical and political changes have taken place in his country, many handicapped children and there families are not receiving the support they need from the government.

Peter's mother Svetlana said that it was difficult to realize that there was no other support for her ill child. She had to find strength within herself to help her son. Finally, just as she thought there wasn’t a glimmer of hope, a representative of a charitable Hesed program supported by JDC reached out to her. Svetlana finally felt a sense of relief, and for the first time was able to share her misfortunes and little joys. Peter is now a Hesed client. He receives food packages, medicines, and uses medical equipment. He has learned to feed himself, move around, and communicate with others. Through the years he has taken positive steps towards his physical and intellectual development.