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Remote video and fire monitoring requires purchase of additional equipment. Remote access not available with all smartphones. Equipment value based on retail price. License #: MI 3601206217. Insurance savings source: Insurance Information Institute (http://www.pueblo. gsa.govkic_text/housing/12ways/12ways.html). Insurance discounts vary. Contact your insurance provider for details. Actual energy savings may vary based on usage and other factors. Visit http:// www.energysavers.gov/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12720 for details. Call for restrictions and complete details, or visit comcast.com . ©2013 Comcast. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 20 November 21 • 2013 JN derivative of Norrie, which could be passed down to future chil- dren:' Brandvain said. Results of additional genetic tests are not yet back. "The doctors in Israel told us Yanay was getting worse and one of them said we should go to Michigan for surgery," Vered said. "In one week, we had to get a visa and passport for Yanay and con- tact the doctor in Detroit to make an appointment. That's when a friend of a friend gave us the num- ber for Beth. She said she would be someone who could help with things like renting a car and an apartment" Turns out they never needed either. Vered, Ido and Yanay Porat shortly after They drove Brandvain's car Yanay's second eye surgery while she borrowed from friends Susie and Bill Graham of West Bloomfield and a few others. "They are very thankful and appre- "We bonded almost immediately, ciative of the support, friendship and and we wanted them to stay with us," generosity that kept on coming:' Brandvain said. "I didn't want them to A friend loaned Brandvain a car be alone:' seat and portable crib for the first During the course of their time week; after that she borrowed equip- here, two friends of the Brandvains — ment from Detroit Baby Drive, which Shari and Alon Kaufman of Orchard loans baby items to members of the Lake and Carol and Mark DeVore of Jewish community. West Bloomfield — also opened their "We began with nothing and sud- homes for the young family to stay. denly we had a baby seat and a crib," Ido said. "And we had a telephone Amazing Doctors from the Robinsons [Davida and "Yanay's ophthalmologist, Dr. Warren of Franklin] and dinners at Michael Trese [of Associated Retinal their house and at Marty and Judy Consultants] does surgery at William Liebman's [Farmington Hills] home. Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, "We got wonderful things from and apparently is the world's fore- Kim Schon [of West Bloomfield]," Ido most expert on these conditions," said of baby items including a bouncy Brandvain said. "Parents bring their seat, baby carrier and car seat cover. children from everywhere after being Schon's young children also overheard told they won't see." Yanay's story and separated out their Yanay had multiple doctor visits musical and noisy toys for him to and two surgical procedures, one on listen to. each eye. The first was done by one of "Other friends brought food to our Trese's partner, Dr. Kimberly Drenser, house Brandvain said. "Dany and Itzi and the second by Trese. Saar [of West Bloomfield] took them "The day before the first surgery, to dinner, showed them around town, Dr. Trese explained what would take were shopping guides and provided place Brandvain said. "By the time them with coupons:' we got home we had a lot of questions Lisa Soble Siegmann, Federation's so we called our friends, Drs. Amy associate director of Jewish and Steve Dunn. Experiences for Families and Informal "She is a pediatrician and he is an Education, arranged for tickets for ophthalmologist, a cornea special- Vered and Ido to go to the Palace of ist, and has actually worked with Dr. Auburn Hills to watch the Maccabi Tel Trese's team:' she said. "Steve talked Aviv-Detroit Piston basketball game, to the doctor and then came over to while Beth and Avi babysat. Avi also explain everything to Vered and Ido. took Ido to the Oct. 3 Michigan chap- He even brought a poster and a model ter of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces dinner. of an eye. They have both been avail- able to explain, answer questions and Yanay's Vision help out:' Even with the success of the surgeries, Community Embrace Yanay will not have complete sight. "Vered and Ido are in awe of our won- Village Of Friends on page 22 derful community," Brandvain said.