Tamar - 27 year old mother of 3 children

Tamar is 27 years old and in the beginning of a 3rd pregnancy. She has a 4 year old daughter and twin daughters who are 9 months old. Her husband had a kidney transplant 2 years ago and may not work. Their income is disability insurance. Tamar was planning on returning to the work force in September and put the twins in day care. Previous to her husband’s kidney ailment, he had opened a business, which failed. Tamar was also on the payroll, and when they filed for bankruptcy they were left with many debts. They are in the process of repayment, which she estimates will take them a lifetime. Tamar became pregnant while on the pill. When she learned that she was pregnant, her first thought was an abortion. The daily financial pressures and the accompanying emotional stress have transformed a healthy, young family into a dependent and poorly functioning one.
Tamar and her husband have a loving and supportive relationship, which has been tested recently. Their unplanned pregnancy has forced them to look carefully at themselves and their near future. They both feel strongly that the pregnancy is a gift that it shouldn’t be thrown away. As Tamar said, their recent past has been full of difficulties and mistakes and it seemed to them that an abortion would be just another mistake. The referral to Nefesh Achat by her social worker gave them the space they needed to make a decision and enabled them to make the choice that was right for them. With all their ambivalence the couple have decided to continue the pregnancy. Tamar and her husband pride themselves on being caring parents to their daughters. With financial and emotional support over the next months it is our hope that this young family will regain their balance and ready themselves to be caring parents to their new baby.

Devora - 6th high risk pregnancy

Devora is 32 years old and the mother of 5 children. Her pregnancies are generally complicated and result in a premature delivery. Two of her children suffered developmental delay due to the premature delivery and low birth weight, and require physical therapy and speech therapy. Devora received help from Nefesh Achat during her last pregnancy, 3 years ago when total bed rest was prescribed. That pregnancy ended successfully at 9 months with the birth of a healthy little girl. Due to the high medical risk of each pregnancy, Devora has turned to us again for help with her 6th pregnancy.
She is clearly anxious about her health and at the same time very much looking forward to a new addition. When she called a few months ago to ask for help, she shared with us her prayer that we would again be her _____ for a successful full term pregnancy. The monthly financial help and the regular telephone conversations have helped Devora in ways that we can not measure. When I spoke to her today she was thrilled that she had reached her due date and is looking forward to giving birth soon.

Shuli - 30 year old mother of one

Shuli is 30, married and has a 4 year old daughter. She works as a hair dresser and her husband works in the building trade. He works irregularly and takes minimal responsibility for supporting his family. This has been true throughout their married life and Shuli has decided that she would provide the regular monthly income for the family. The news of the current pregnancy was met with alarm and clear objection by her husband. They were barely managing to take care of themselves and their daughter. He tried to persuade her to have an abortion. She understood his thinking, but felt firmly that an abortion would be the wrong decision for her. She went to her social worker who referred her to Nefesh Achat. Shuli is due in November. She comes to the office regularly and is grateful for the opportunity to have continued the pregnancy.

Marina - 31 year old immigrant

Marina is 31 years old, a new immigrant from the former Soviet Union and a dentist by profession. Several years before her aliyah M became ill with multiple sclerosis and is wheel chair bound. She lives with her husband who is mildly physically disabled, and her mother and her brother who is currently serving in the army. The family income is disability insurance and the mother’s old age pension. The whole family greeted the birth of her daughter last week with great joy. A fine, healthy baby surrounded by many loving adults. The social worker requested that Nefesh Achat help with the purchase of baby equipment. In addition a gift of baby clothing and a hand-made blanket are on their way to Haifa.

Lisa - 20 year old single woman

Lisa is 20 years old and from a religious family. Her father died when she was 14.
She lives with her mother and younger brother in a low income area in Jerusalem. When L. finished high school, she entered Sherut Leumi, national service and an alternative to the army. In order to further her interests in helping the sick, L. volunteered to do her national service in a health clinic. During high school L had a boyfriend and they planned to marry shortly. The pregnancy intervened and her boyfriend of 5 years left her on her own. He offered to help pay for an abortion and they seriously considered that option. When L decided that she wanted to continue the pregnancy in spite of his wishes, they parted angrily. He has not been heard from in months. L came to office, referred by a social worker from the health clinic, where she works. She was at the end of the 3rd month of pregnancy and wavering between being happy about her decision and being frightened about the future. L is has regular meetings with me and we are helping her to cope with the present and plan for the immediate future. She is a young woman with many strengths and much determination to be a successful mother.

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