Rosh Hashanah Appeal

Solly

Without JDA, baby Solly’s family would be in turmoil.

Solly’s mum shares: “Solly was perfect. He came into the world with the faintest hint of a blond curl. And he was deaf. When we were told, we made the hospital check and check again, clinging on to the hope that they were wrong – but he couldn’t hear. We were devastated. 

We didn’t want to upset our families, so we kept the news to ourselves until we had the strength to tell people. 

Amidst this emotional turmoil, I contacted JDA. Within 15 minutes, and although it was her day off, Jody, their amazing family support worker, called, assuring me that Solly would be fine, and so would we. Jody became an essential part of our lives, helping us to adjust and grow strong. We went from feeling totally alone to knowing we were in safe hands. Jody introduced us to a WhatsApp group for Jewish families with deaf children, where we heard stories of hope and success, gleaned so much useful information and became part of a fantastic community. 

Solly is now one year old. He recently had his cochlear implants switched on. When he allows me to put them on him (he’d rather eat them!) and with JDA’s support, I know that in time, he’ll be just like every other child.”

Michael

Without JDA, Michael would not be alive today Michael, 84, is Deaf and lives alone. 

Although Michael communicates in sign language, his GP refused to book an interpreter for his appointments, relying on pen and paper instead. This resulted in five years of medical neglect, including being dismissed with paracetamol when his GP failed to diagnose a fractured wrist following a fall. 

When Michael had a heart attack, thankfully JDA was called and we raced to interpret for the emergency paramedics, enabling them to save his life. 

Our Support Worker, Lisa, was beside him from then on, visiting Michael daily in hospital, interpreting for the medical team and helping him understand what the doctors were saying - for the first time in his life! Lisa ensured he received overdue tests which revealed Michael had arthritis, a chest infection, low iron, liver disease and was taking painkillers that dangerously contradicted his newly diagnosed heart condition. 

Michael is now well and enjoying life. He’s getting a little forgetful. But he’s not worried – he knows Lisa will be with him to help him cope with whatever life brings.

Eric

Without JDA, Eric would be totally isolated in his care home.

Eric, 95, felt so lonely when he went to live in a care home. His hearing aids weren’t working and, struggling with his deafness, he was unable to understand what people were saying to him, make new friends or join in activities. 

When he was told he’d have to wait a year for an NHS audiology appointment, he became withdrawn and depressed. 

We introduced Eric to a personal amplifier kit that enabled him to hear more clearly. His face transformed immediately. “Now I’m a happy young man!” he exclaimed excitedly. “I love a stimulating conversation, and there are some interesting people here. It’s great to be able to chat again!” 

Eric is enjoying his life and his new friends now. And he’s able to use the phone and regale his daughter with all the news of what he’s been up to! 

Many older people in care homes face similar struggles, often spending their later years feeling lonely because they can’t hear. JDA is providing staff training and expert support to the Jewish community’s leading care homes, ensuring older people like Eric have the support and equipment they need to enjoy being active, valued members of the community they live in.

Lena

Without JDA, Lena would be living on the streets of London.

When we first met Lena (25), she was on the street surrounded by her belongings – literally homeless and about to face her first night sleeping rough.

Lena fled to London to escape her abusive father. Profoundly deaf, alone and scared, she fell victim to a fraudster who befriended her. He found Lena squalid accommodation and took her to the council to help her obtain benefits. He directed her benefits to his bank account, stole her money and lied about paying her rent, which resulted in her being evicted. 

Lena went to the police, who referred her to JDA, the only organisation who could possibly help a Deaf sign language user in such a hopeless position. 

We booked Lena into a hotel to keep her safe. And in the months that followed, we helped her battle through every obstacle, liaising with police and safeguarding teams, regaining her benefits and securing priority on housing list. We gave her money to buy food and encouraged her to come to JDA to meet other Deaf signers and get a hot meal – bringing her into the warmth and safety of the JDA community. 

Thanks to our determined staff, Lena has moved into a clean, new flat close to us – and we’re helping her to trust again and replace her many distressing memories with new happier ones.

 

 

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