36 | APRIL 27 • 2023
tomized anus — was created by the famed
Dr. Alberto Pena of Colorado, who invent-
ed this surgery only 40 years ago. Dr. Pena
is now over age 80; little Dovid Berman was
one of his last patients.
Along with this diagnosis, Dovid also
has a chromosomal abnormality so rare no
studies have been done about it.
“He has a whole bunch of ‘smaller things’
going on,
” added Bayla. “Dovid is deaf in
one ear, has epilepsy and is very develop-
mentally delayed.
”
As any parent of a child with special
needs can attest, raising such a child is a
full-time job and can be emotionally drain-
ing. Their calendars are filled with thera-
pies, doctors’ appointments and hospital
stays, and their hearts beat a different tune,
always anticipating the next health scare.
“It’s hard, exhausting and, at times, very
lonely,
” Bayla said. “People don’t always
understand, even when they try … and it
can be painful to watch other kids who are
the same age as yours, see them do normal
things your own child will never do.
”
LEARNING FROM DOVID
But there’s definitely a flip-side. Dovid’s
smile has been known to lift the mood of
even the most unsuspecting passerby. He
often beams his radiant and wholehearted
smile at the congregants of Young Israel of
Oak Park, where his family are members,
and inevitably ends up spreading good
cheer, even without saying a single word.
“Dovid is super smiley and extremely
social. He loves to play, be around and
interact with people. He’s always giving
hugs and kisses,
” Bayla said.
Dovid’s warmth and positivity is a con-
stant source of inspiration for his family and
those around him.
“He’s always smiling,
” Sruly said. “There
are many times he’s smiling when any other
kid in the same position would naturally
be sad or crying. Not Dovid! He’s always
showing me that he can power through any
obstacle.
”
Big brother Zevy, 8, concurs. “I learn
from Dovid that when you work hard, you
can do anything. Plus, he’s really fun to look
at when he’s happy because he just looks so
cute!”
When parents have a child with special
needs, they sometimes feel they are no
longer the same person they once were.
They have new priorities and a different
perspective.
UNPLANNED ADVENTURES
“Life does not always go according to plan,
”
Bayla said. “My family had to cancel three
family trips in the last year alone because
of Dovid’s medical emergencies. Dovid has
taught me patience. I’ve learned to take
whatever life throws at us and just take it
one step at a time.
”
Actually, the unplanned pivots of life
usually wind up being the most memorable.
continued on page 38
Sruly and Bayla help
big brother Zevy cut
Dovid’s hair.
The decor with
cubed centerpieces
of Dovid’s pictures,
ABOVE: The adorable cake, courtesy of
Dovid’s grandpa. RIGHT: Circus admission
cookie and tzizit cookie .
continued from page 34