Just over fifty years ago, the world was rocked by the infamous unmasking of Willowbrook State School, a quiet building located on secluded grounds in Staten Island, NY. The institution was exposed as an overcrowded, filthy, and unsafe shelter for thousands of lonely, forgotten children and adults with developmental disabilities. Ask anyone who remembers the scandal how many children with special needs they used to encounter during that time, whether in the street, in their friend’s homes, or perhaps at school; you’ll likely hear the answer “none”. Not because children with special needs didn’t exist, but because they weren’t yet what they’ve become today – precious family members, a valued part of our society, and a living lesson in acceptance and inclusion.

Rebbetzin Feige Twersky points out how in the bracha of Borei Nefashos, we say “borei nefashos rabos v’chesronan…” – we thank Hashem not only for creating people, but also for creating the lack. The perfection of Creation is in what it lacks; Hashem created both our hunger and the food to satiate it. If we wouldn’t feel hungry, we wouldn’t know how to appreciate a good meal.

Human nature is to notice what’s missing, but we gain more by appreciating what we’ve got: a medina shel chessed, an understanding world for our children with special needs. Over the past half a century, awareness and acceptance has become the norm and expectation, and our New York State government has provided our families with a most welcome relief package in the form of the OPWDD, an office designed exclusively for the wellness and development of our special neshamos.

In this issue, we’ll be exploring the path to receiving services from the OPWDD for our children. Even as we continue to advocate for them and speak up for their needs, let’s remember how fortunate we are that in His kindness, Hashem placed us in a generation and locale where kindness and support abound.