A few years back I found myself with a dilemma. My youngest child Benzy, who has special needs due to Williams Syndrome and PDD (Pervasive Development Disorder), was reaching the end of his first year in a new school. This state-funded school had great teachers, good facilities, and most importantly, students could attend through age 21.
Benzy is a very charming and lovable child, but is prone to spontaneous and uncontrollable outbursts, which as the year progressed, seemed to be becoming more difficult for his teacher to deal with.
As the school year was coming to a close, I received a phone call. Benzy’s teacher asked me to come meet with her, the principal and the social worker. I had half expected this call, and was apprehensive: “Now what?” I asked myself.
At the meeting, I was told that although everyone in school adores Benzy, his behavioral problems were beyond the scope of the school’s expertise. The school was understanding and concerned, and offered to help find a school that would be more appropriate for my son. To say that I was upset is an understatement. G-d has His ways, I told myself. I accepted this situation and prayed for His assistance in finding the best school for my son.
While waiting for a solution, I received an envelope in the mail. I opened it and read the contents. It said, “Thank you for your donation to Tishma School and Center for Autism. We hope you will continue to be a friend of Tishma in the future.” Strange, I couldn’t remember making this donation. I racked my brain. After a while it came to me: a good friend of mine, who also has a special needs child, invited me to a charity evening for a new school for children with autism called Tishma. She said it would be a nice evening, a worthwhile cause and that it would be fun to go together. Although in the end I couldn’t attend, I nevertheless wrote a check for the school.
The thank you letter described the work the school does on behalf of their students, and it sounded like they might be able to help Benzy. I checked out their website (www.tishma.org) and the more I read, the more excited I got. Although Benzy “only” has a PDD diagnosis, he is on the autistic spectrum, Tishma sounded like it would be perfect!
Excitedly, I contacted the school and explained Benzy’s situation. They told me that sadly, there is a long waiting list for children wishing to attend, but they were willing to meet Benzy and me, to see if they could help.
G-d has endowed Benzy with a personal gift, every place he goes, people love him! The staff at the school were impressed with Benzy and felt that Tishma could be the right place for him. Not only that, but because Tishma’s classes are determined by a combination of age and ability, and there was a space in a preexisting class in which Benzy would be best placed, he could join immediately!
Since arriving at Tishma over two years ago, Benzy has received an intensive personal program full of positive encouragement, specifically designed to help him cut out his behavioral problems, and move forward in those areas where he can. At home and at school, Benzy’s behavior and achievements have surpassed anything I dreamed off.
Benzy’s arrival at Tishma and subsequent progress was all in the merit of giving tzedaka! May your tzedaka also be to your merit!
Each of Tishma’s 52 students has their own individual story, problems, opportunities, families and untapped potential. Every child receives an intensive, tailor-made program designed to substantially improve their communication, learning and life skills and provide them with a more dignified and self-sufficient life. Tishma provides all their students and their families with hope.
Tishma is located in Jerusalem, Israel. To find our more or to make a donation, please visit www.tishma.org.
