By COLlive reporter
What’s a father to do?
Rabbi Mendel Samuels, Director of Chabad of the Farmington Valley in Weatogue, Connecticut, opened up about the challenges and miracles he and his wife Blumie have in caring for their son.
Meir, their youngest child, was born with Riley-Day syndrome, also known as Familial dysautonomia (FD), which is a rare genetic disease that affects less than 300 people worldwide. He cannot walk or talk.
“Meir’s whole autonomic system, from his ability to swallow to his ability to blink his eyes to his blood pressure and body temperature—all the things we take for granted. It is all uncontrolled,” his father said.
Rabbi Samuels described Meir’s life and everything surrounding it during the annual BBQ benefiting Yaldei Shluchei HaRebbe, a division of Merkos Suite 302 that assists Shluchim raising children with special needs.
In a speech that was forthright and moving, Rabbi Samuels told of the miracles his family has experienced throughout the hardships of raising and caring for a child with such a medical condition. One story left the crowd in chills.
VIDEO:
To support the Samuels family, visit gofundme.com/meirsamuels
Mendele
You rock. We love you.
Isser and Sarah
So inspiring! Wishing a refuah shlaima!
Dear Rabbi and Blumie
You speak from your heart, your words are golden. I am in awe of everything you said.
May we meet again soon.
Our special children were sent to us on a very important mission. Our lives are utterly different from others. Our families are the army and we parents are the commanders. To have a special child is a decree from Hashem.
We fight on
Until Moshiach, we fight on
Andrea
I agree wholeheartedly with all the previous comments, there is nothing more I could add to what’s already been said above, except Moshiach please Now!
Loved every part of Rabbi Samuels speech!
his sense of humour is phenomenal, especially with all that he’s been through with his precious child. . .
May he be zocher to see gezunte nachas from Refoel Meir and all his children . . IYH
I am sitting on my couch sobbing. What an incredible
Show of faith and dedication.
The Samuels are incredible, dedicated Shluchim, devoted to their amazing sons. Every neis they have seen is a direct result of their bitachon in Hashem and their commitment to helping every Jew, not only in their own community but everywhere. They are truly wonderful people who are raising Chassidishe mentschen who are a credit to them.
May Refoel Meir thrive and continue to give inspiration to all of us.
BH
Thank you so much for the warm response for those who asked where to donate to help
Gofundme.com/meirsamuels
Thank you
very inspirational!
made me cry
Your talk was very inspiring, may Hashem give you continued strength to take care of your special child.
Where can we donate to help?
Extremely moving. The young child, refoel meir ben Bluma Yenta should have an immediate recovery.