Welcome to my fundraising page!
Many of you already know that recently I ended up in the hospital for meningitis. I had an undiagnosed sinus and ear infection, my ear drum ruptured, and the infection spread suddenly to my brain. The rest was history. A couple of days into my treatment, I developed a brain bleed, a rare side effect of meningitis, which led me to lose mobility on my left side.
I woke up and not being able to feel my leg. Later that day i lost feeling in my arm. I won’t lie. I was scared. But I was also incredibly sad and angry. I am a “can do” person. I am not a “please do it for me” person. And all of a sudden -- nothing. I couldn’t do anything for myself. This was the first time I had experienced physical disability on a personal level. Until now, my experience was limited to working with students or campers with physical disabilities. I could try to imagine what it was like, but I was not in their shoes.
But more importantly - I was missing out on a ton. And that is what made me the saddest and angriest. I was missing my kids. I was missing my husband, Matt. I was missing my parents and sisters. I was missing everything outside of the hospital. Sure, everyone tried to accommodate me. I couldn’t go to Shabbat dinner so Matt ate Shabbat dinner with me in the hospital. I couldn’t go to Micah’s band concert so my dad sent me a video. We FaceTimed and took pictures - but it wasn’t the same.
My experience with physical disability is temporary. I am assured that I will regain use of my left side through intensive occupational and physical therapy. But our campers with physical limitations and mobility issues face these types of challenges every single day of their lives, and it is permanent. And so I find myself in the hospital with a million ideas racing through my head about how we can continue to make Ramah Poconos a home for everyone, regardless of physical limitations. Of course, we might not always be in the position to say "yes" to every potential or current camper right away, but we are creative in our thinking and our doing. I know that certain camp experiences may be challenging for campers, but when faced with a different need or situation, our answer is never “no way” - it is “let’s all think of how to get to yes”.
I am prouder than ever of the strides Ramah Poconos has taken to make sure that all our campers are immersed in our camp experience. We do our very best to integrate all campers in every activity to the extent comfortable and feasible. I am confident that every year, the Tikvah program will expand to include a wider population and different needs. Each one of us is different, and we each add value to our community as participants.
Last year, I rode in the Tikvah bike trip in Israel, and recently I'd started to consider whether I would do it again in 2019. I'd be lying if I said that I had no reservations - it was challenging, excruciating, and difficult. It was both the most miserable and exhilarating experience I have ever had.
Three weeks ago, my participation was my choice. But then I got sick, and had I not been as lucky as I am, I may not have been physically capable of doing the bike ride again. So now I have every intention of riding again in 2019 because I CAN!
More than ever, I am motivated to raise money to support our innovative and transformative programming, and our commitment to accessibility and inclusion. As challenging as it will be, I am going to push myself to work harder, get stronger, and be a part of the 2019 bike ride. I invite you all to join me in Israel as a rider, hiker, or volunteer! Not an option for you right now? Ok! Please then consider participating by sponsoring my ride or otherwise contributing to our efforts to strengthen the Ramah Poconos Tikvah Program. No donation amount is too small (or too big!!!) - every dollar helps!
Donating through this platform is fast, easy, and totally secure. In addition to donating it would be super helpful if you could also forward this fundraising page on to your family and friends, the more people who see it the more helpful it is for my fundraising efforts!
LET'S RIDE!