Personal Stories

Mirale

Hi my name is Mirale. I am 36 and mother to an adorable seven-year old boy Avner. I was born with severe physical disabilities and use a motorized wheelchair. I came to SHEKEL about 15 years ago when I finished high school and was wondering about my personal and professional future. SHEKEL gave me the opportunity to develop my artistic talents and help me find myself. Since I only have the use of my left foot, no place of work would hire me or give me a chance to prove myself.

When I first came to SHEKEL I was accepted to work as a secretary and learned how to perform all the tasks required for that job. Later on, SHEKEL sent me to study graphics and now I am a graphic artist. After working at SHEKEL for a few years, I decided the time had come for me to branch out on my own. I opened my own studio called Mirale Designs with the help of my friends from SHEKEL and today work independently.

For me, SHEKEL is a place of love and equal opportunity. It’s the first place that believed in me….

I am a SHEKEL Resident

Hi! My name is S. and I’m 33 and I live in a SHEKEL apartment in Jerusalem. I was born with Down Syndrome and I have some functioning difficulties. I am an artist and have exhibited my paintings at 40 art shows all over the world. I even designed a stamp for the United States Postal Service. I enjoy living with 3 of my friends in the apartment. Each morning we get up for work. I work in Yad Sarah’s workshop and help repair wheelchairs. One of my friends, Yossi, works in the Mahane Yehuda open market selling vegetables. Gabby makes candles in SHEKEL’s Vocational Center and brings beautiful candles to our apartment on every holiday.

After work I come home to do household chores. We all take turns cleaning, shopping, cooking and washing dishes. Then I go to my various activities. Twice a week I paint, once at the Bezalel Art Academy and once in an art club. Tuesdays I go to SHEKEL’s Video Club to film programs for our local television program “Extraordinary”. I have a girlfriend named Shira. We’ve been together for 3 years and hope to live together sometime in the future.

Michael – My Story

Shalom! My name is Michael and I live in a SHEKEL apartment for religious young men. I’ve been participating in various SHEKEL clubs in the afternoons for several years. My favorite is the Newspaper Club. We write articles and learn how to edit them. I’m on the Editorial Board and we meet and decide what goes in the paper and what does not. In the past, I was in the Judo Club, earned a yellow belt, and the Drama Club. I enjoy all the clubs, and get a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment from participating in them. when I see my articles in print, after putting in so much time and effort, I am the proudest person in the world!