George W. Bush (archive photo)
צילום: רויטרס
Yossi lights a Hanukkah candle with Bush
When Yossi was just a year old he lost his eyesight and hearing due to faulty vaccine, his dream to meet the US president came true when he was invited to light a Hanukkah candle at the White House
Washington: For years 30-year-old Yossi Samuels has been telling his acquaintances that his greatest dream is to meet the president of the United States, even if just for a few minutes.
Late Monday evening, Yossi fulfilled his dream: American President George Bush invited him to light the fourth Hanukkah candle at the White House. For Yossi and his parents, Malka and Kalman who live in Jerusalem, this was a true Hanukkah miracle.
Yossi was born a healthy baby, but when he was just one year old he was given a routine DPT vaccination that rendered him blind and deaf and acutely hyperactive. He lost his eyesight, his hearing and his cognitive skills. His parents could have admitted him into an institution; however they decided to raise him at home, in a loving and supportive environment.
Yossi's parents can only communicate with him via sign language that was specially adapted to the needs of the blind and deaf. He is unable to speak except for a few indistinguishable syllables.
While still young, Yossi's parents decided to found Shalva, the Association for Mentally and Physically Challenged Children. The association founded the Nachshon Wachsman home in Jerusalem, a warm home for children with special needs. Yossi's mother is one of the volunteers at the home.
The home assists parents who decided to bring up disabled children at home. The home conducts a host of activities and children can spend several days there, either when parents are on holiday or when they are unable to care for them.
A few weeks ago as Yossi was celebrating his birthday, he received notice that President Bush is prepared to meet him at the White House during the Hannukah festival. At the meeting Monday, Yossi presented the president with a special gift: A cast of his hand, which in sign language means "love."
