Jan 11 2024 48 mins
While raising eight sons and daughters, Ahava Ehrenpreis overcame numerous challenges to provide her children with a rich experience including world travel, academic achievement, and deep support from family. An incredibly positive and spiritual person, and an accomplished author of numerous articles and three books, Ahava shares her experiences raising her large family, including a child with Down's Syndrome, her son Saadya; we dive deep into how the siblings both supported him and grew themselves through love of and interactions with their brother. We discuss fostering Saadya's independence, including riding NY subways and attending college, and draw lessons applicable to all children. We also discuss how parents and families can overcome tragedy, including how Ahava dealt with the loss of two sons. Plus, schlepping kids to Japan, summers in Israel, finding balance in a busy life, and unique ways her Jewish community supported her in good and bad times.
Ahava Ehrenpreis is author of More than Special: Perspectives from the World of Special Needs, On My Own…but Not Alone and My Special Uncle, a book for children about special needs adults in their lives.
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