Shalva: Pioneering Disability Care and Inclusion in Jerusalem
In exclusive interview to JFeed, Dr. Liron Benisti explore innovative approach to disability care in Jerusalem, featuring groundbreaking Shalva programs and a enviroment that transform lives.
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In the heart of Jerusalem, a beacon of hope for families of children with disabilities shines brightly. Shalva, the Israel Association for the Care and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, is more than just a center; it's a testament to the power of community, innovation, and compassion. At the helm of its Research and Development department is Dr. Liron Benisti, a distinguished professional with a background in occupational therapy, public health, and social work. Dr. Benisti’s work is a reflection of Shalva's core philosophy: to provide holistic, family-centered care that empowers not just the child, but the entire family unit.
In exclusive interview to JFeed, Dr. Benisti opens Shalva's door to the world.
A Sanctuary for New Beginnings: The "Me and My Mommy" Program
Shalva's "Me and My Mommy" program is a lifeline for families with a new baby who has a visible or newly diagnosed disability. Dr. Benisti explains that the program is designed to be a "one-stop-shop for a baby's developmental needs." Once a week, the baby receives a full suite of therapies, including occupational, physical, speech, and hydrotherapy, all under one roof. This integrated approach saves parents from the exhausting and often overwhelming task of scheduling and traveling to multiple appointments.
The program's philosophy extends far beyond the child's therapy. The parents receive crucial social and emotional support, attending group sessions with a social worker where they can freely ask questions and share their experiences. The program's commitment to the family is immediate and profound; the first words a parent hears when they call Shalva are "Mazal Tov," or "congratulations." This simple yet powerful gesture is a stark contrast to the grief and sympathy many families feel from the outside world.
"Many parents told us later in research that this was the thing that gave them so much strength, because all the people around them were grieving, it felt like somebody died and not that a baby was born," Dr. Benisti said to JFeed, emphasizing the program's life-affirming mission.
Inclusion from the Ground Up: The Kindergartens
Shalva's vision for an inclusive society begins at a young age through its kindergartens. The center operates 13 kindergartens for children with disabilities and two for children without. This unique model of "inclusive education" allows children from both groups to play and learn together. The inclusion is carefully planned;
"A child with sensory issues might be included during a quieter activity, like story time, to ensure a comfortable and positive experience." Explained Dr. Benisti to JFeed.
Dr. Benisti shares a personal anecdote about her own daughter, who attended one of these kindergartens. At six years old, her daughter was preparing an activity for a Purim party. She realized that her friends with disabilities might struggle with the activity, so she ingeniously modified it so that everyone, regardless of their ability, could participate and win.
"She prepared an activity that you walk on a line on the floor with a cup of water and you can't spill the water. You have to get to the end and to drink it all the way. A few days before the activity, she told me, 'I'm very worried because my friends with disabilities won't be able to walk straight on the line and the water will spill. So they wouldn't have the opportunity to win.' Then, she told me her brilliant idea: 'We will cover all the cups and everybody will walk with a cover and a straw and nobody will feel different and everybody will have the opportunity to win.'"
Dr. Benisti believes that children see beyond the disability. "Maybe they feel it, but truly they see the child and the friend behind the title," she stated. "I think that they can teach us a big lesson that we all need to adopt in our society."
A research project with Harvard and Tel Aviv Universities confirmed that parents who send their children without disabilities to Shalva’s kindergartens are motivated by a desire to create a more compassionate and accepting society for the next generation.
A Natural Evolution: From Kindergarten to School
Shalva's services have historically covered the early years and afternoon programs for school-aged children, leaving a gap for the children who needed a full-day school program. The opening of a new school for children with autism was a natural and necessary evolution. It was catalyzed by a spontaneous visit from six pairs of parents after a television show about Shalva. They insisted that their children deserved a place at the center known for its excellence and holistic approach.
The new school, currently with four classes for children on the lower-functioning end of the autism spectrum, is dedicated to providing the most innovative and effective therapies, such as ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis). The goal is not to have the children remain within the building but to give them the tools they need to be included in society.
"Our vision is that the children will grow and get the tools and will be able to be included in the society," Dr. Benisti affirmed, highlighting the shared responsibility of both the center and the community. "Our responsibility is to give them the tools to be productive and happy people."
Shalva's journey, which began with just six children, has become a model for organizations around the world, from Russia to Singapore and Uganda. It stands as a powerful example of how a family's personal experience can evolve into a global movement of care, compassion, and true inclusion.
