Twenty-eight years ago, one man lent his vaporizer to a
neighbor. This man, Uri Lupoliansky, current mayor of
Jerusalem, founded Yad Sarah. Named for his grandmother, Yad
Sarah lent medical equipment to the public.
Today, Yad Sarah has grown tremendously and provides many
more benefits, yet it is still best known for its lending
services. Over 180,000 items of medical and rehabilitative
equipment are lent out annually, across the country.
Yad Sarah Services for Tourists
Visitors to Israel with disabilities are encouraged to take
advantage of the services at Yad Sarah. Motorized scooters,
electric wheelchairs, and sightseeing transport can all be
obtained from the organization. Electric and transportable
oxygen tanks are available for entire visits. Yad Sarah
offers information on the hotels and attractions most
accessible for people with disabilities. For a small charge,
Yad Sarah has a pickup service from Ben-Gurion airport for
wheelchair-bound visitors.
Yad Sarah dispatches volunteers in specially equipped vans to
take those who are wheelchair-bound to medical or social
appointments, including family simchas and Yad Sarah
sponsored trips. For many, this is the only means to leave
home. This is but one of the directions in which Yad Sarah
has expanded in the last twenty-eight years.
Innovative Centers
Yad Sarah has begun a number of centers, each with a
different focus to provide therapy, educate, and ease some of
the difficulties of disabilities.
One such center is the Day Rehabilitation Center for those
aged 20-65 years who have become disabled through illness,
stroke, accident, or terror. The center offers its members
therapy to improve their mobility, motor skills and
speech.
The Toy Library and Children's Enrichment Center was created
for children with developmental or cognitive disabilities.
The child is invited to play with one of his parents and [up
to] two siblings.
Another innovation of Yad Sarah is the Guidance and
Exhibition Center. This is a model apartment designed to
foster independence for the feeble and disabled individuals.
Inventive pieces of equipment are on display, and visitors
are encouraged to experiment with the options. Professionals
are available to discuss the different devices to help each
visitor find equipment best suited to his needs.
Come, Lend a Hand
Over 6,000 volunteers are the gears upon which the entire
organization functions. Yad Sarah welcomes all those who are
interested in helping, regardless of previous experience. Due
to its spectrum of services and projects, there is something
available for everyone! There is a lot of assistance the
English-speaking community can provide.
Twice a week, Yad Sarah offers tours in English. Those
planning a short visit to Israel are invited to visit Yad
Sarah's main building and receive a tour of the premises,
including the above centers and an overview of all of its
programs.
Those who are planning a more extensive stay in Israel are
invited to give these tours! Yad Sarah offers courses to
train volunteers to be tour guides. One can be mezakeh
horabim in this way, through spreading the information of
the services of Yad Sarah. The more people who are aware of
what is available, the more people can be helped. And the
more people can help others
English speakers, even tourists and short-term visitors, can
help in a variety of departments. Volunteers provide computer
guidance for individuals with disabilities, at the Karton
Center. In the technical department and workshop, there is a
constant need to repair medical equipment. While engineering
skill is beneficial, many can "pick it up" and save Yad Sarah
a lot of money through repairing used equipment. The overseas
department also has a great need for English speakers.
Home visitation is one of Yad Sarah's most gratifying
services. Homebound individuals are paired with a Yad Sarah
volunteer and deep relationships are built. Depending on the
inclination of the host, arts and craft projects, computer
training, or other activities are brought into the home.
Professionals, such as dentists, physical and occupational
therapists, and social workers donate their time and
expertise to Yad Sarah.
