HEALTH WARNING` YOUR SECURITY BLANKET N THESE PREMISES PROTECTED BY Unique Hospital Cares For Handicapped Kids 541-5373 RICK ISRAEL Special to The Jewish News "Security is our middle name" erusalem — "From the moment we entered Alyn, we knew that we had found the right place for our child," said Elaine Weissman of Jerusalem. "More than anything else, the Alyn staff gave us hope and encouragement about our daughter," commented an- other parent, Nani Feigen- baum, also from Jerusalem. Both are mothers of young handicapped children cur- rently enrolled in the nursery program at Alyn Orthopedic Hospital and Rehabilitation Center. Their comments re- flect the attitudes of many whose children attend pro- grams or receive treatment from this unique children's hospital in Jerusalem. Alyn (an acronym from the Hebrew Agudah Le'ezrat Yeladim Nechim, Organiza- tion to Aid Handicapped Chil- dren) is Israel's only long-term orthopedic hospital and re- habilitation center for physi- cally handicapped children. It is a non-profit organization which treats and cares for chil- dren, regardless of religion or ethnic background (ten per- cent come from Israeli-Arab families). A high percentage of the children suffer from crippl- ing neuro-muscular disease or from trauma after accidents, and many come from socially and economically disadvan- taged homes. Alyn provides comprehen- sive health care that meets the wide range of children's de- velopmental needs, while pro- viding the parents with much needed support and informa- tion about their child's condi- tion. More than 5,000 patients visit Alyn's out-patient clinic annually, after being referred by doctors and health clinics from all parts of Israel. 1611 A Tribute to a Special Woman of the Detroit-Area Jewish Community The Jewish National Fund TESTIMONIAL DINNER HONORING Wednesday, June 24, 1987 Congregation Shaarey Zedek 27375 Bell Road, Southfield $150 per person Michael S. Feldman, Dinner Chairman Edythe and Joseph tackier, General Co-Chairmen For Reservations, Phone 557-6644 or write to JEWISH NATIONAL FUND 18877 W. Ten Mile Road, Suite 104 / Southfield, MI 48075 16 Friday, April 10, 1987 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS The majority of children who enter Alyn have a physical ill- ness called spina bifida, a con- genital spinal column defect in which part of the spinal cord and bones are not formed, or muscular dystrophy, a chronic illness characterized by degen- eration and atrophy of the muscles. Alyn also cares for children with diseases such as cerebal palsy, scoliosis and childhood rheumatoid ar- thritis. Alyn provides individual physiotherapy treatment in- cluding muscle strengthening and respiratory training, as well as hydrotherapy treat- ment in the Alyn pool. Therapists also teach such daily living skills as eating, dressing and participating in play activities. Tirzah Ilan, director of social services at Alyn, leads a staff of five social workers who help families come to terms with their children's handicaps. "The first few minutes after birth are extremely critical for the natural bonding to take place between infant and mother," related Ilan. "Yet when children are born with a handicap, this bonding process is often disrupted." The social work staff play a crucial role in trying to rees- tablish the natural connec- tions between child and par- ents as well as giving parents whatever social, emotional and financial support they need. "We give parents the feeling that they are not alone in all this," observed Ilan, "and we at Alyn share the responsibility in helping their child develop." The staff at Alyn also assist parents whose children suffer from progressive diseases such as muscular dystrophy where symptoms may not be observa- ble until age three or five. Ilan asserts, "We tell parents that a handicapped child can still lead a productive life and we often help over-protective par- ents to see that they need not devote their whole life to a handicapped child." By stressing the child's healthy attributes and playing down the handicap, the staff at Alyn help parents cope, thus allowing the children to grow with the sense that a "hand- icap" is a diagnostic term and 'not a definition of who they are. Despite many obstacles, Alyn staffers strive to inte- grate each handicapped child into his or her community school system. For example most schools are inaccessible to a child in a wheelchair so Alyn has built numerous access ramps, thus enabling over 30 youngsters in the Jerusalem area to be placed in various kindergartens, primary schools and high schools. Alyn's on-site elementary school and kindergarten are operated under the supervision of the Department of Special Education and staffed with teachers who are trained to work with physically handi- capped children of normal in- telligence. In this program, 30 young people receive instruc- tion in all subjects. Students learn about the Jewish festi- vals and avidly participate in each celebration. A Friday af- ternoon visitor to the hospital will likely see children light- ing Sabbath candles and sing- ing traditional songs. World Zionist Press Service L