With A Little Help, Ben Hersh Lived A Very Good Life!
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- How should Christian parents respond if a child has a learning disability?
- The only disability is a bad attitude!
- What does the Bible say about caregiving?
- What was Paul’s thorn in the flesh?
- Why does God allow people to be disabled?
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Ben Hersh, a remarkable individual with an relentless yet gentle spirit, shared with me how he utilized his Dynovox talking machine that I helped him program to express his thoughts and emotions. Through this extraordinary device, Ben had the ability to connect with others on a deep level, sharing his innermost feelings and thoughts. It was evident that he lived a fulfilling life surrounded by love from his cherished family who adored him just as much as he loved them in return.
I had the privilege of being Ben’s caregiver for an astounding 7 1/2 years; a period during which an unbreakable bond developed between us, blossoming into a true friendship. Despite facing the challenges presented by Cerebral Palsy throughout his 35 years of life, Ben possessed an awe-inspiring attitude that radiated positivity. His extraordinary sense of humor was infectious and served as evidence of his innate wisdom and perceptiveness. In one touching photograph capturing a moment from their brother Murray’s bar mitzvah when Ben was around ten years old, we witness him joyfully dancing alongside his sister Sylvia while effortlessly maneuvering in his power chair – capturing the essence of pure bliss within every motion. ~ Bill Greguska.
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God, he created him, male and female he created him.
World’s Greatest Dad Ever! Father Son Team!
Incredible Love For His Son With Cerebral Palsy! Another Fantastic Story Team Hoyt
Here Are Some Helpful Links:
Do You Have A Disability?
See that Ben Hersh has a big smile that goes with his big heart!
If you have a disability that you are dealing with, take an example from Ben Hersh, and determine what you can do and do it well and what you can not do, do not worry about it. That has been Ben’s motto for as long as I have known him. God created us all “Differently-abled” to some degree or another! If you want to learn about a few particular people who learned to overcome a disability that they learned to live with, then read on!
I have been Ben’s caregiver for 7 1/2 years. The scripture that I think of when I think of Ben is Matthew 22:37-39 because Ben and I have talked about if, by chance that our roles in life were changed, and he was my caregiver, Ben always told me that he would take care of me like I take care of him. I know he means it because I treat Ben very well, and I know Ben well. ~ Bill Greguska
Put GO in Front of The Word DISABLED = GOD-IS-ABLED.
Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Adam Is In A Similar Situation To Ben Hersh!
Ben Hersh Was A Remarkable Man And A Good Friend!
I refer to people like Ben Hersh and all people with disabilities as “Differently-abled” because each person has been blessed with many other beautiful qualities! ~ Bill Greguska
My Good Friend Ben Hersh
Ben Hersh had a beautiful family, and he has three volunteer jobs, an excellent sense of humor, and a huge heart for others!
I wanted to tell you a bit about Ben. I have experienced firsthand that Ben Hersh is indeed a fantastic man! Often, I think people with a disability like Ben would be better off referred to as “Differently-abled.” I am sure if you would ask them yourself. Being Ben’s caregiver for over seven years has been a blessing. My friend Ben is a great guy who happens to have Cerebral Palsy, and in my humble judgment of character, Ben Hersh is a true champion.
Ben is a fantastic guy with an excellent outlook on life and a super great sense of humor! Ben has become a terrific friend of mine, and I am a good friend of his while also being his caregiver! Without a doubt, Ben Hersh is “Differently-abled.” The world judges someone’s ability by how many points a man can score in an NBA basketball game or how many touchdowns a man can make in an NFL football game. But actual ability should be measured in one’s heart, not their stats. Ben Hersh does not have big impressive stats, but he has the heart of a great man! ~ Bill Greguska
Shannon’s Story Is Positive, Just Like Ben Hersh’s Story!
Being Jewish Was Very Important To Ben!
Ben Hersh has a desire to live a good Jewish life. We refer to God and the Old Testament when he and I talk.
Ben was proud of his Jewish faith. Although he has Cerebral Palsy, that did not stop him from living a good, productive life, as he learned to live with condition he did not ask for. He and his family strongly believe in God, which has helped them through difficult times. Ben’s dad Herman has a strong faith and is very knowledgeable about the Bible, and he and his family live out their faith.
Ben Makes Greeting Cards
Ben used to create greeting cards on his computer since 2009. He sold his cards at St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Jewish home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Ben’s parents, Jolie and Herman, have encouraged him in his life and with his card business.
As long as I have known and worked with Ben, I have realized that Ben is impaired, yet he is hopeful! I would consider Ben disabled no more because Ben can do very much despite his disability.
Ben Is A Wonderful Person And A Good Friend!
It was also beautiful that Ben donates a portion of the cards he makes to Milwaukee County jail inmates.
Besides making greeting cards, Ben has delivered mail at St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Jewish home for over seven years.
Now, he’s been providing the Milwaukee Journal, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal at St. Luke’s hospital since May 8, 2014.
Ben’s parents encouraged Ben to be productive and stay active; otherwise, he would have seen and done less than he has in his life that Ben already has done!
In Hersh Learned To Deal With A Disability!
Even though Ben has had Cerebral Palsy since birth, he sure makes his mark in his community. In 2009, his mother had the idea of simultaneously keeping Ben productive and creative, which has been an excellent thing for him and the others he serves faithfully!
Ben is now 33 years old and was born with Cerebral Palsy. He can not walk or talk, but he has a personal Dynovox computer that enables him to communicate with a hand-held probe. Ben was blessed to have his Dynovox Computer, his connection to the world!
Ben has learned to make the most of what he has, which has given him the ability to have a good life with the help of his devoted parents, dedicated caregivers, plus Independence First and IRIS programs to help meet some of his basic needs.
This photo is of Ben Hersh and Bill Greguska at the airport with the pilot and flight attendant! We taxied to the runway and around in the jet together! Ben loved the airport and pilots and flight attendants.
My Little Buddy Ben, Rest In Peace! 12-20-18
Ben always enjoyed laughing, and I enjoyed his contagious smile and laughter. Overall, Ben did not complain much, except at times, about his feeding tube, but Ben was a very cheerful young man. He was like a son to me, besides being a good friend.
He enjoyed it when I called him a thinking man, which stuck with him as a nickname. Ben worked delivering newspapers at St. Luke’s hospital for 4 1/2 years, plus he worked at the Jewish home for even more than that. He made greeting cards at home on his computer, and he loved to watch YouTube and talk on his Dynovox talking machine.
He Loved His Parents, Herman And Jolie, Very Much!
In addition to Ben’s two sisters, Claire and Sylvia, his brother Murray and his niece and nephew. Ben enjoyed attending synagogue as often as he could.
I went camping with Ben the year before last up near the Dells. I got to understand Ben. He loved to go to the airport with me. He also liked pilots and airline flight attendants, not to mention police and firefighters, and paramedics. He was a super big Batman fan, plus other superheroes in general.
Ben Was Interested In Helping Young Children Who Were In Foster Care.
Ben had a huge heart and loved life even though he was so limited physically, but at the same time, Ben was brilliant and knew what he liked and did not like. I always tried to coach him to speak up for himself because I wanted him to be empowered to make decisions that would positively affect his life.
Before Ben had a tube feeder put in a couple of years ago, I used to love to make food for him and blend it with the blending machine, I used to put terrific foods like fruits, vegetables, meats, peanut butter, juice, ice cream, avocados, etc. and Ben loved it! We always enjoyed our time together, doing whatever we were doing!
In the 7 1/2 Years, I Helped Ben!
We got to know each other very well. He loved to come to my house, which has a wheelchair ramp (which was my mom’s), to get inside to watch YouTube on my computer screen and hang out with the guinea pigs and me.
I believe that God blesses us with certain people who become close to us. There is no set number of how many people, but I know that Ben was one of them in my life! I will miss Ben, plus his family, caregivers, neighbors, and friends.
The bottom line is that Ben was a very likable, friendly, intelligent, and lovable man who loved others and made it through his life without much complaining, something we all can learn from Ben! May he rest in peace! ~ Bill Greguska
Ben Hersh Graduated From Riverside High School
Ben, Being In A Wheelchair, Became Dependent On Using Ramps! He began delivering mail and newspaper as a volunteer at St. Joseph’s and St. Luke’s Hospital and the Jewish home care center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Ben has used his abilities to create greeting cards he sells and gives away. He has accomplished much with encouragement from his mother, father, and others.
Ben said, “I like to help people get their US mail, making them happy.”
I was happy to build wheelchair ramps for ten years in the Faith Indeed ministry. I built a small ramp inside Ben’s house to allow him to get in and out easily, plus other things. ~ Bill Greguska
I Have Known And Cared For Ben Hersh From 4-2011 until 11-2018
The Hersh family, Jolie, Sylvia, Ben, and Herman!
Ben is my friend, and I am his caregiver; it is incredible how he overcame his disability.
Ben has an excellent sense of humor and a great outlook on life. He is a thinking man with a lot of ambition to attempt more than most people I know would.
Ben loves his family a great deal, and I would consider the family one of his highest priorities in life!
Photo of Mom, Sylvia, Ben, and Herman in the living room with family time before bed. The Hersh family is very close and shares a lot of love with Ben! Being Ben’s caregiver was a blessing to me in many ways; I was grafted into the family, and Ben and I were very close!
Sure, There Are Some Things Ben Could Not Do For Himself!
Ben Hersh is a thinking man! Ben is Dressed In His Favorite Suit Coat!
But that is where God comes into the picture by providing wonderful, loving parents, Herman and Jolie Hersh, brother Murray, two sisters – Clara and Sylvia – and dedicated caregivers and relatives, and friends.
Ben (like many of us) loves watching comedy videos, spending time with family, shopping for comedy videos at Goodwill, surfing the Internet, helping others, and enjoying a good meal with family or friends.
One of Ben’s favorite things to say is, “Are you a thinking man?” For Ben, the answer is yes. He is a thinking man, a knowledgeable and caring man!
Looking at Ben and his life, you can see why I titled this story, “Being disabled has NOT stopped Ben Hersh from living a good, productive life.”
With support, encouragement, and God, Ben Hersh has victory over Cerebral Palsy and has learned to deal with a disability that Ben never asked for, yet God has been faithful to this man I call my friend!
More Encouraging Testimonies
Pastor Billy Graham
Pastor Francis Chan
Pastor Jeff Schreve
Pastor Ron And Sue Sauer
Pastor Ron West
Bill Greguska
Brian Larson
John Wegner
Lisa Stackpole
Lora Kesselhon
Mike Hayden
Mom’s Legacy
Ray Jablonski
Terri Mitchell
Some Specific Scriptures To Encourage You:
Genesis 12:3 ESV
I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Isaiah 49:7 ESV
Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation, the servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise; princes and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”
Genesis 15:13 ESV
Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years.
Genesis 18:18 ESV
Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
Psalm 25:22 ESV
Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
Isaiah 49:6 ESV
He says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
Isaiah 8:14 ESV
And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Galatians 4:26 ESV
But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
Acts 16:31 ESV
And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Genesis 47:27 ESV
Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly.
Romans 2:28-29 ESV
For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
John 12:11 ESV
Because on account of him, many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
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