Omer is a wonderful 4 year old boy suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2.
Omer is a sweet boy, radiating love and warmth to those around him and in turn is loved by all who meet him. As a very clever boy, he knows many nursery rhymes by heart and most of all he loves going to preschool. Early in the morning you can find Omer eagerly preparing himself for his new day at preschool where he loves to learn new things and play with his friends.
Omer needs a lot of personal assistance, including a one-on-one caretaker, to make it possible for him to enjoy being part of a mainstream preschool with peers his own age. Unfortunately, the meager state budget allows Omer a caretaker at preschool for only two days of the 6 day week. The other 4 days are paid for by the ‘ILAI Fund’ with the intention of giving Omer the chance to develop and grow both mentally and socially as is natural for a boy his age.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease affecting the part of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movement. This disease entails the weakening and damaging of the voluntary muscles close to the center of the body which are responsible for gross motor skills such as crawling, walking, control of the head and neck and swallowing. Children afflicted with SMA as Omer is, can usually sit without support after being placed in a sitting position but cannot obtain this position independently. As the disease intensifies a child will need medical apparatus to enable him to stand. It is difficult to define exactly the rate of deterioration as it is expressed differently in every child.
Omer cannot move his arms and legs.
Omer has never played ball with his father, never blown bubbles and has never brushed his own teeth by himself. He cannot eat independently and requires a caretaker to be with him throughout the day. Every time Omer has to take care of his needs he must be accompanied by a parent or caretaker. Nonetheless, Omer sits in his wheelchair happy and joyful, emanating angelic rays of light. His smile is full of the divine energy of which his beautiful soul is made. Even in his difficult physical condition he manages to infuse those around him with happiness and hope.
We pray for the day to arrive when medical research can give conclusive results and thereby find a cure for SMA.We hope that with the help of G-D, Omer will become a healthy boy who can stand up on his own two feet and run to perform good deeds. Our dream is for Omer to grow up and marry the woman of his dreams and become the wonderful father that he has the potential to be.
May Hashem bestow His blessings upon you and keep you well. Amen.