Sometimes The Right Success Stories Show You How Far We've Come

    JERUSALEM, ISRAEL, September 27, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- It's about the life of Ortal Karp, an amazing young woman with disabilities who beat the odds in incredible fashion. Ortal's successful integration into Israeli society is the story of how being given the right opportunities, anyone can come back from the brink and lead a vibrant life, full of meaning. Today Ortal is pushing society towards a better future.

Her message embodies a universal truth that inspires.

And we sat down with her father to share his family's emotional journey.

Ortal, the third of five children, was diagnosed with Sotos syndrome at birth. Sotos syndrome causes low cognitive function and muscle tone, among other developmental delays.

"As the pregnancy progressed my wife kept telling me that something isn't right. But the doctors all said that we are just young and paranoid."

But when Ortal was born the message changed. In the hospital they told the Karps, "Just leave Ortal here. She's not worth it." Shlomo remembers, "Can you image it? An infant! A beautiful little human that we waited nine months for."

But soon the Karps began to understand. Ortal refused to sleep or eat. If she did swallow, the food was thrown up soon after. She wouldn't develop. No rolling or crawling. In fact, she couldn't move at all.

But the problems got worse.

During an episode where Ortal was vomiting blood, Shlomo and Ortal arrived at the emergency room. The doctors shared the news that within the next two weeks, Ortal needed to undergo dangerous open-heart surgery. Either that or she wouldn't survive.

Thankfully, Ortal survived the surgery. Now the time had come to look for a recovery center where maybe she'd learn to walk. For a preschool that would accept her. For a psychiatrist that will stop her from hurting herself as she tries to put her head through the wall.

But the constant pressure was taking its toll on the family. "There comes a point where you ask yourself, 'Is this my life?' A child is supposed to strengthen the family. We want a future for our little girl. We want her to learn, to graduate. We want her to fall in love. But all I can think about is how Ortal is tearing my family to shreds."

Eventually someone suggested Shalva, the Israel Association for the Care and Inclusion of Individuals with Disabilities. Shalva provides therapy, education and recreation for 850 program participants of all ages. Based on the truth that successful children come from strong homes, family support elements are woven into every program. Countless advocacy initiatives ensure that the voices of these individuals are heard and their presence is included and felt.

The Karps got in touch with Shalva and arranged a meeting with a representative. Within three days Ortal was signed up and attending Shalva's After School program, but Shlomo and his wife didn't expect much.

Then the changes started.

Each day, after school, Ortal would arrive for an afternoon of sports, music, art, cooking and more. The respite program gave her the opportunity to sleep over at Shalva, providing the Karps with fortifying respite time. "First she started to feed herself. Then talk. She made friends. At home we had discussions about her friends. Can you imagine that?! A full conversation with Ortal!"

"And it wasn't just for Ortal. Shalva saved my family."

Shlomo explained that the daughter he was told to leave behind was now being returned to him... with dividends. "Now I see that Ortal is the greatest gift I've ever received. I know that she made me a better person. I needed this little girl in my life. Shalva just helped me see that."

Ortal entered that program at the age of six, fourteen years ago. Now, at the age of twenty she is ready, willing and able to serve her country in the form of Sherut Leumi, National Service.

And where better to give back than at Shalva?

Ortal gets up every day with a smile, proud to spend her time working in Shalva's inclusive preschools that allow children with and without disabilities to grow together. She feeds the children, aids in their therapy and leads educational games.

The preschool is located in the new Shalva National Center, the largest facility of its kind in the world.

Ortal's amazing journey, starting way back when the doctors said she wasn't worth the effort, through the family's struggles, her growth in Shalva and culminating with her choice to give back, all points to a larger movement in society.

We are moving towards a more inclusive future. A better future. A world where every level of ability, every life, is cherished and given a chance to fully maximize its potential. What Ortal did in her life is a growing trend. And this trend points to the fact Israeli society is on the forefront of creating a better, warmer, more hopeful and inclusive world for all of us.

http://www.shalva.org/new/

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