EMUNAH'S JOURNEY
What started with seemingly innocuous foot pain turned Emunah and her family’s world upside down. The foot pain rapidly progressed to the point where Emunah couldn't walk, stand, or even hold up her own head. She was soon after diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare autoimmune disorder which affects the nervous system, causing extreme weakness and eventually paralyzes much of the body.
The disease's relentless assault on Emunah’s nervous system necessitated urgent medical intervention, leading to her admission to the pediatric intensive care unit, where she was placed on a ventilator to support her breathing.
However, amidst the darkness of Emunah's struggle, a beacon of hope emerged when she was transferred to ALYN Hospital's Respiratory Rehabilitation Department, just before Chanukah. The warmth and compassion extended to Emunah and her family by the ALYN staff provided a lifeline during this challenging time. In line with ALYN’s holistic approach, every aspect of Emunah’s recovery was covered - from teaching her family how to navigate the complexities of her medical equipment to ensuring she stayed on track with her studies.
Perach, Emunah’s mother, shares, "Suddenly you have to go out and do this on your own, but ALYN is such a warm, caring place; they help you every step of the way and explain everything. Everyone seemed to care so much about Emunah and how she progressed. It was surprising to see, when we were able to leave the room, that the doctors and nurses gave the same amount of care and attention to each child. For us, it seemed like Emunah was the center of their universe."
Through tireless rehabilitation efforts, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, Emunah made remarkable progress. Her determination, coupled with the unwavering support of her family and the dedicated professionals at ALYN, propelled her forward. Milestones like moving her toes and eventually weaning off the ventilator filled Emunah and her loved ones with hope for the future.
It is worth noting that her name, Emunah, in Hebrew means “belief” or “hope”. How wonderfully fitting! Today, Emunah is back in school, nearly seamlessly reintegrated into her class. Her return symbolizes not only her incredible resilience but also the transformative impact of ALYN's holistic approach to care. The hospital not only healed Emunah's body but also nurtured her spirit, instilling in her a sense of purpose and possibility for the future.
"ALYN is such a special place, full of heart."
- Perach, Emunah's mother
Emunah’s story is just one among hundreds at ALYN Hospital, where every day, children face immense challenges with courage and grace. Your support helps ensure that more children like Emunah receive the specialized care they need to overcome obstacles and thrive.
