Families who are confronted with the challenge of a special child often feel lost and alone. In the confusion and pressure that reigns, decisions about this child's future can be made that will later be regretted. Rabbi Abraham discusses difficult questions parents often are forced to decide and the answers he received from Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Rav Elyashiv. Among the topics spoken about are whether or not to bring this child home, when to make a decision to send a child for adoption or foster care, and how important or not it is to find an observant Jewish home for a child that will never have any cognitive ability at all.
Of course we accepted the Torah with the words na'aseh ve'nishmah. But often we don't realize that despite defining ourselves as religious Jews, we may be contradicting our beliefs with our actions. Rav Berkovits speaks about our reactions when things go wrong and learning to accept a path to perfection that may diverge from our own agenda.
Parents of special children face more exhaustion, higher stress levels, and more daily challenges than those with a typical family. We take our physical needs very seriously. Are we honest about our emotional needs? An excellent class for anyone who needs a periodic break to recharge psychologically and spiritually without the guilt trip that so often comes along for the ride.
Parents of special children know that as each summit is reached, another mountain remains yet to be climbed. This is a mother's story of raising a child different from the norm, the stuggles to acheive an education for her that helped her develop her potential as well as her Jewish identity, and an honest portrayal of the challenges involved.
Hashem hid the original light of Creation, because it would make our experiences in this world so clear, we wouldn't be able to access free choice. How do people react to the challenge of a special child? Mrs. Jacobs points out the blessings that are only available to special needs children and their families, helping part the fog that surrounds us just a little to let some divine light inside.
This lecture, given for parents of special children, gently explains how to see the guiding hand of Hashem in times of trauma, adversity, and sorrow. Rabbi Leff shares a number of difficult times, and how a solution was found to help the parents better cope with the new reality.
Couldn't G-d have created a problem-free world? Rabbi Leff sympathetically offers a reasonable approach to cope with many of the hardships we face. He explains the distinct mechanics of Jewish challenges and how to steer them into opportunities for growth.
Can it be that suffering is really good? Hashem loves us with a love that lasts forever, even when we don't see Him. When we have pain, Hashem is still watching over us. It's harder to see Him, but not impossible. A 10 point class on how to gain even though we wish we'd never had have to go through hard times.
Each child, and specifically the 'special' ones help their parents reach completion. Rebbetzin Neustadt explains how certain nisyonos in life can make or break us. Understanding the nature of this mission not only clarifies the goal, but adds chizuk to brave it in dignity. Hear also how nurturing an isolated child can draw them out of their lonely world.
Each child, special or not, have their own needs that must be met. How do we balance the higher demand on our time and patience these children demand while still maintaining our relationship with our other kids? A fascinating talk by Rebbetzin Ebstein, a Holocaust survivor who struggled with two children who have severe hearing issues. She makes a number of important points about how a child is affected by their environments, and finally decided to start a Jewish school for children with disabilities.