neering center works with physicians
and therapists to design and construct
aids and seating inserts and to adapt
existing equipment to the specific prob-
lems of each child.
An on-site school coordinated with
the Special Education Department of
the Israel Ministry of Education pro-
vides classes for children who live in
the facility.
The Ma'ayan National Display
Center is a vast room housing orthope-
dic appliances, wheelchairs, mobility
aids and bathroom and kitchen acces-
sories for the physically handicapped.
The computer and rehabilitation
technology center benefits both inpa-
tients and outpatients, acting as a tool
for study, communication and play. An
ALYN staffer calls the area "one of the
most important little rooms in the
building, where the whole world is
open" to children who in many ways are
otherwise limited.
She says the swimming pool "is
equipped with a lift for the bigger
kids," and "even children with respira-
tors use the pool."
The Thomas Blum Outpatient
Clinic records 4,000 visits yearly from
referrals throughout Israel. With 45
children calling ALYN home (with
another 45 in a short-term residential
program and 100 in day care), recre-
ational programs such as sports, art and
photography are offered.
A fully equipped apartment, moni-
tored by occupational therapists, allows
parents to "practice" caring for their
children in a homelike atmosphere in
preparation for their discharge.
Although the hospital accepts chil-
dren regardless of ethnic or religious
background, ALYN is a Jewish facility
with a kosher kitchen and a syna-
gogue, with accessibility for those in
wheelchairs to approach the ark on
Shabbat and festivals.
The hospital also offers a private-pay
program for non-Israeli families with
physically challenged children visiting
Israel. The children can spend their time
at ALYN while the family travels.
Some of the children treated at the
non-profit hospital come from socially
and economically deprived families,
with ALYN responsible for all of their
needs. In addition, all of the hospital's
expenses for projects, programs, equip-
ment, computer technologists, pharma-
cists and ambulance drivers must come
from direct donations.
Friends of ALYN Hospital has
chapters in several countries and U.S.
cities. ALYN's Michigan group, says
immediate past-president Miriam
Goldberg of West Bloomfield, is set
4/23
1999
42 Detroit Jewish News
up with a primary goal of fundraising.
With no office and no paid employ-
ees, all of the money raised by the
chapter through tribute card sales and
an annual event, this year on Tuesday,
May 4, go directly to the hospital.
Several of the groups traveling with
the Michigan Miracle Mission III have
arranged to tour the hospital. One
group includes past president of Friends
of ALYN-Detroit Paula Glazier of West
Bloomfield, whose great-uncle Dr.
Henry Keller was the founder of the
hospital in 1936.
Jonathan Jaffa of West Bloomfield,
the Detroit group's current president,
says, "In an area of the world in so
much strife and dissension, this is a bea-
con of hope to so many children."
A new Active Rehabilitation Wing is
slated to open in the fall. The building
will house Israel's only sleep laboratory
for handicapped children, an intensive
care unit, as well as a clubroom with
computers and Internet access, videos,
TV, a music center, a study area and
small library.
ALYN encourages of the presence of
parents during treatment and the new
facility will have a family center com-
plete with lounge, kitchenette, laundry
area, lockers and showers.
And what about Mor and Itamar?
Mor has improved to a point where she
is now able to manipulate a manual
wheelchair or scooter. She feeds herself
and with mechanical assistance has
achieved independent walking, lives at
home and attends regular kindergarten.
Itamar, out of his coma, now follows
an intensive physiotherapy program,
walks, dresses and eats independently,
and is in a day-care program.
Jackie Elbez of the public relations
department says, "Our ultimate goal is
for our children to reach their potential
in mobility and independence. We give
a lot more than a hospital bed. That's
why we get such great results.
But ALYN receives no government
funding and insurance is limited to basic
hospitalization payments. The hospital
relies on international fundraising to
make up the difference. Ti
"
The Magic of ALYN Hospital
Sorcerer's Supper followed by.an
Evening of Magic begins 6 p.m.
Tuesday, May 4, at Congregation
Beth Shalom. For information,
call Doris Blechman, (248) 737-
6954. To purchase tribute cards,
call Randee Lipman, (248) 851-
0102.
Art Of Jewish Caregiving
SHELLI DORFMAN
Editorial Assistant
Iewish Home and
Aging Services host-
ed a leadership
retreat at its West
Bloomfield facility to teach
medical staff and manage-
ment about the needs of
Jewish patients and their
families.
"The Art of Jewish
Caregiving" was offered to
Detroit Medical Center
leadership and management
on April 13. Sheyna
Wexelberg-Clouser, JHAS
community outreach direc-
tor, called the attendance of
65 staff members "phenom-
enal, considering that Sinai
Hospital is in the middle of
plans to close." She called
the turnout "indicative of
the real commitment (of
DMC) to continue to serve Holocaust survivor Sonia Nothman addresses DMC
the needs of the Jewish
medical staff and management.
community."
. Participants learned how
Sydney
to enhance the hospital stay
Milliman leads
and ambulatory care of
a tour group
Jewish patients through
through the
recognizing, respecting and
Holocaust
maintaining religious and
Memorial
cultural sensitivity. Sessions
Center Shown
gave an overview of the
are Sinai-Grace
nurses Dawn
Jewish community and cul-
Blackwood, lef t,
ture; instruction in how to
and Lisa
access relevant resources for
Katzman.
older adults, and the
importance of support for
the religious and cultural
needs of Jewish patients.
Wexelberg-Clouser, who
coordinated the conference
with Juanita Luther, PCD
and a personal reflection by Sonia
Education Specialist, Northwest
Nothman, a Holocaust survivor.
• Region, DMC, said the retreat also
Another "The Art of Jewish
identified "the unique needs of
Caregiving"
conference is planned for
Holocaust sur-
patient care
vivors and their
staff at Huron
children in the
Valley-Sinai
hospital setting."
Hospital.
The conference,
Last week's
held on Yom
program
spon-
HaShoah
sors
were
the
Jewish
Fund,
JHAS,
(Holocaust Remembrance Day)
LeVine Institute on Aging, DMC,
included a tour of the Holocaust
Max•M. Fisher Community
Memorial Center in West Bloomfield,
Foundation and the Commission on
a talk by Dr. Charles J. Silow, director
Jewish
Eldercare Services of the Jewish
of the DMC Sinai Hospital Program
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. L
for Holocaust Survivors and Families,
IT
JHAS teache s medical sta
to care for J ewish patients.