Dreams Never Dreamed: A Mother's Promise That Transformed Her Son's Breakthrough Into a Beacon of Hope

by Kalman Samuels

Traveling to study in France for the summer, Canadian college student Kerry Samuels made a stop that would change his life. An unlikely chain of events landed him pursuing theological study in Israel, changing his name to Kalman, and marrying his wife Malki. In 1977 their infant son Yossi was injured and rendered blind, deaf, and acutely hyperactive. During the difficult and isolating years of Yossi's early childhood, his mother promised to dedicate her life to helping other children with disabilities and their families if Yossi's world of darkness and silence would ever be penetrated. Inspired by their son's remarkable breakthrough to communication, Kalman and Malki established Shalva, one of the world's largest centers for disability care and inclusion - creating a better society for all. In Dreams Never Dreamed, Samuels juggles life's bitter and sweet in pursuit of good. Driven by humorous stories and insights, this memoir is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming at once. A story of hope, courage, and leadership; it demonstrates that ordinary people can create extraordinary change and transform life's challenges into opportunities.

Genres: Nonfiction

368 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2020

Reviews

[Chava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing story of love and determination. The title says it all. The Samuels' son was a healthy baby until he was administered a defective vaccine. He eventually became blind, deaf, and hyperactive, and there were scant resources for either parent or child to deal with Yossi's challenges. His mother Malka vowed that if her son had a breakthrough, she would make it her mission to help other parents in similar situations. After Yossi's "Helen Keller" moment, she and her husband fulfilled the promise. They started a small care center in an apartment, which expanded into a small building, which grew to the incredible Shalva center with all kinds of activities and therapies for children with disabilities.

I became familiar with the Shalva organization through the band that almost represented Israel at Eurovision, but Shalva is so much more. Yossi grew up and traveled the world, holds a job, and has many friends. The Samuels continue to run Shalva with the same devotion and attention to detail, providing much needed services and a ray of light for everyone.

The story is told in a very straightforward manner -- from Kalman's transformation from American college student to Orthodox rabbi, meeting and marrying his incredible wife Malka, and the journey they took with their family. A very worthwhile read.

[Muffy Lutzin]

This wonderful book tells the true story of how one woman--and her family--managed to help children with disabilities develop a real sense of self identity and know that whatever they dreamed for themselves could be attained with G-d's help. She is a powerhouse. Her vision and dreams were unstoppable. No hurdle was too high, and the whole family had to go over so many hurdles when her second child became neurologically impaired after receiving a tainted vaccine. As amazing as she is, so is her husband who wrote the book, and the child that many wanted them to give up on. It is well organized and really tells a story of attaining dreams and realizing hope. But, she didn't stop with helping her child. She helped myriads of children and their families. In my profession as a Recreation Therapist, I strove to accomplish a bit of what she was driven to create. I have nothing but admiration for this family and loved reading about them.

[Lisi Tesher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so well written and moving.
I was very pleasantly surprised.
And now I am desperate to visit the Shalva Centre and am thrilled that my son is running the Jerusalem marathon as a fundraiser for Shalva.

[Vicky Kennard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story. How one family's experience can benefit so many thousands of others.

[Jacqueline Bocian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story of a family who transformed the experience of having a disabled son into building the most successful program for disabilities in Israel.