Simon explains: “Shmuel is severely autistic and his behavior was very challenging. Not only was he awake most of the night (every night), he was also scared of crowds of people and his diet was very limited. Both we and his teachers in England tried to give him different types of food but he always refused. Also, he could speak less than 20 words.”
The Levine’s tried to navigate the challenging maze of therapies, special ed. schools, and medical regiments. But as hard as they searched, they could notseem to find the right solution for their son in England.
The Levine’s heard that there’s a larger variety of options available in Israel, so in March 2012, they bade farewell to London and made Aliyah withtheir children. After getting through the red tape, Shmuel was enrolled in Beit Metzudot, Seeach Sod’s branch for children with severe disorders. “We had heard great things about the school,” says Simon, “but nothing prepared us for the incredible transformation that our son underwent. In the 18 months he has been at Seeach Sod, we have seen amazing changes. Boruch hashem he is eating normal food like rice, pasta, schnitzel and potato kugel, he is sleeping through the night and at his Bar Mitzvah 5 months ago, he was able to say the brachos both before and after his aliyah!” Initially, the Levine’s had planned on getting Shmuel approved for a residential institution. However as they observed the astounding improvement in Shmuel’s behavior since his entry into Seeach Sod, the Levines have changed their mind and are no longer considering the residential institution option.
Simon’s wife, Rivka sums up the change: “We came to Seeach Sod with a burden and they gave us back a son”.
Simon wanted to show his gratitude to Seeach Sod. So in January 2013, he ran a half marathon (22 kilometers) in Arizona and raised over $6,000 forequipment for Seeach Sod’s school gym which is being used by over 150 children every week.
Two weeks ago, on November 17, Simon ran a 13-mile (22 kilometer) half marathon in the US. This time, Simon ran with a friend, and together they raised money to purchase iPads for children at Beit Metzudot.
Simon explains why he chose iPads as the target goal: “Recent research proves that the application of Information and Communications Technology in special ed. classrooms has a significant positive impact on: student motivation, cognitive stimulation, and basic life skills. That is why I have chosen to dedicate my marathon goal towards iPads, which will open a world of exciting opportunities for Shmuel, his friends and their teachers and therapists.”
To see Simon featured in Mishpachah Magazine, click here.
