Miami Beach, FL – During the holiday season, we often read inspirational stories that raise our awareness of the plight of the needy and celebrate a spirit of helping the unfortunate who have suffered from hard luck, injury and hurt.
I would like to share a different holiday story to you, one that shows how the foundations of religious teachings and celebrations of miracles can inspire an individual to reach inward, not outward, to help them struggle against debility and ill-fortune within an ethical, spiritual framework.
This holiday story is one about the moving individualism of a young man whose strong religious beliefs have motivated him to overcome a devastating, crippling illness and to also build — and rebuild — a successful entrepreneurial business.
Elchonon Hellinger, 26, of Miami Beach could easily be the Dickensian subject of a holiday story about someone living with a serious, debilitating illness. Since infancy, he has suffered from Neurofibroma Type 2, which causes the continuous growth of benign tumors — a malady that affects one in every 60,000 people.
This young man grew up constantly undergoing serious operations (he has had 20 surgeries to date). He had to wear a brace to walk during his childhood and went deaf at 18 (he regained his hearing with an auditory brain implant at 21).
Despite the constant debilitating effects of his illness during his childhood, Elchonon always fought back to try to live as normal a life as possible as he attended a Yeshiva in Miami:
“It was hard…very hard. Kids were mean. I just wanted to be like the rest of them, but going to doctors, the surgeries, wearing a brace, was very difficult. But I was the smartest kid in the class and I never saw myself as being disabled or limited. I always gave it my best,” recalled Elchonon.
In addition to his religious education, as a teenager Elchonon began selling unlocked open box and refurbished cell phones and Bluetooth headsets and speakers on e-Bay in 2004. Despite the operations and continued deterioration of his health, he worked hard and successfully grew his sales operation, incorporating his Thriftycomputer.com business in 2009.
Soon after expanding his business, Elchonon ran into issues with payment processors and found the business short of capital-he could not pay vendors or meet customer orders. But instead of taking the easy way out and declaring bankruptcy, Elchonon chose to rebuild and make good on his debts to his suppliers and customers.
“That was the right thing to do. People were owed money — I believed it would have been dishonest to walk off from the debts incurred from my own mistakes and faults. My father taught me that it’s not about how much money you make, it’s how you make your money. Our buyers are people like us, I see them as individuals that we are selling to, not in terms of profits or dollars,” said Elchonon.
“I’m a God fearing Jew and God commands us to be honest,” he added.
So Elchonon joined up with his brother Yosef, working with him 16 hours a day, six days a week, to rebuild Thriftycomputer.com. They worked out agreements with their payment processors and suppliers and paid them off, cut overhead, and reformed their business model.
Today, Elchonon and Yosef are busy at Thirtycomputer.com filling holiday orders — and Elchonon continues to overcome his physical disabilities in the work environment:
“For one, it is hard to communicate with people in the office, but that has been getting better, I have tumors in my left hand and no use of my right hand, so typing is difficult. Sometimes the tumors are very painful and it requires great effort for me to stay calm. I cannot make any phone calls, so I need to delegate those calls or talk to everyone via chat or email. In addition, I am often at the doctor and have to take off for surgery,” he said.
Elchonon has never given up or relied on any charitable agency to assist him. Instead, he has solely persevered from his strong belief in God and the boundless support and love of his parents and family:
“All I want in life is a fair chance to prove myself. Being physically disabled does not hamper my ability to operate a successful business. I don’t see myself as disabled, but just facing more obstacles than others that I need to overcome.”
Elchonon is truly a brave young man-and a real smart mensch-and his tale is a religious inspiration to all.
So Charles Dickens, how’s that for a great holiday story?
He helps out others starting in business getting them started in sales and service. This is the highest form of tzedaka–helping another person become self supporting! May you have a refuah shelaima and may you go from strength to strength and find your life partner.
Also know ur sisters! Thanx for inspiring me!
u really show how to work hard! and when u plant and sow, things grow! (hayom yom)
u are really amazing! May we have Moshiach now!
Good going elchonon. We hope to see u soon in the coming future and let’s not forget Yosef. We really miss u guys over here and can’t wait to see you two again. May you, Elchonon, have a refuah shelaimah u’krova.
Reading this article makes me want to do business with this guy for Chanukah!
woaaaaaaah!! go helllingerssss!;-)
what a lesson!This guy is real inspiration.I am truly awed and will look at my huge challenges differently!tfs and wishing you only the best!
He is indeed a very special person that teaches you that no matter what situation you find yourself in you can succeed
Dear Elchonon, May you go michayil el choyil both in health & wealth. I worked with your mother in Shalom Center. She is a true tzadeikes, an eishes chayil, I’m sure your success is also in her z’chus. Keep up the great work. you inspire us all. Hatzlacha!
You are the best Elchonon!!!! your company rocks!!You will make the best husband in the world!!! i cant wait to work in your company myself:) love you!!!
Yay to my amazing older brothers I love u guys keep up the amazing work ( we know how hard u work ) 🙂
Elchonon, this story really moved me. You really show people how to appreciate life. I’m sure the Rebbe is Really Proud of you. Stay strong keep it Up your an Amazing Person….
wow u r a true inspiration
May hashem bless you with a complete and healthy recovery! You are such a strong person! Keep doing amazing things!
He is an unbelievable guy and everyone should learn from him. He is honest and hardworking. I really respect him.
Chazak v’ematz!! You are an inspiration. You are different. You dont take the easy way out,,,,,,
its NORTH miami beach !!!!!
give you a refuah shlaima and revealed good begashmius and ruchnius
i’m speechless. What a great lesson.
Hashem – PLEASE heal him physically! He is obviously very complete B’Ruchnius!! More than anyone I know. I’ve never met him, but am completely blown away by this young man’s Emunah and BiTachon!!
Elchonon is the one sitting down. Yosef is standing up.
you are an amazing person!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elchonon truly is special. I was in his class growing up. In cheder he learmt numerous meschtos baal peh and truly was the smartest. Elchonon keep it up.
Asher G.
To your good health and happiness always. You deserve it! A true inspiration to young and old alike. May Hakodosh Boruch Hu bentch you with revealed brochos in abundance better than you even imagined! Thank you for sharing with all of us and may we only and always hear besuros tovos from you and your wonderful family!
Elchonon u r truly a living example of YOGATI UMATZOSI TAMIN!
where does he get the strength?
🙂
for a Refuah Shelaima and continued success.
Amazing amazing amazing!!!
What an inspiration to have a real Tzaddik taking on his Nissayonos like a mentsch!
Boruch Hashem!
The true rofeh cholim should send a cure for this disease and there should be no remnant of this illness. May you go from strength to strength.
Elchanan`s story is a real miricle. I am also sure he fulfills the mitsva of metsias mitsraim – to break through the boundaries every day. Thank you for sharing. I will tell my kids about it.
Thanks for sharing your story, it reminds others to be thankful for what they have. lots of luck
inspired!
Reading your story gives me nachas ruach and wish you success in all you do and wish you a refuah shlaima bekorov mamash
HE IS THE ONE SITTING! SUCH A MENTCH MAY HASHEM SHOWER HIM WITH REVEALED BRACHOS FOR HIM AND HIS FAMILY!!!!
i never knew ths even tough i know your sisterrs well
One question for elchanan where is starbucks?
KEEP IT UP, U ROCK 🙂
So inspiring.. a real example..
Very proud of you, Elchonon
Keep it up
Hatzlacha rabba umuflaga in all your endeavors!!!
Yosef, good to see you!
I’ve never met you but you have moved me immensely! You should truly be blessed with your hearts desire! we are all rooting for you :):)
If this is not a Kiddush Hashem, I don’t know what is!!
the standing one or sitting? my guess is sitting…
this boy needs more than just some COL comments.
He’s a great guy and is ready to put his personal beliefs before making money he’s also a proud leader in the waking frum people up that the democrat party isn’t our friend What Elconon does for the Holy Land is historical and I am sure he’s more proud of that then anything he’s has and will accomplish in business.
wow, what an inspiration, no words…
Amazing!!! U should cont to have lots of mazel!!!