Imman and Wappa's Story
Carrying on the journey together.
Imman, 29 and Wappa, 34 are sisters who are both deaf and mute. Accompanied by their other sister, who helps them to communicate, they have been working with Amin (A4e in Israel) since September 2005.
When Imman and Wappa started their programme, Amin supported them to lodge a disability claim with the National Security Council. Their claim for a disability pension was turned down, so Amin resolved to do everything it could to help them live a normal life despite their disability, and three goals were set:
1. To increase the sisters' level of motivation and confidence
2. To grant the sisters their independence, since they had never been separated
3. To help them work and provide for themselves.
Amin worked with the three sisters using sign language, lip reading and a number of motivational techniques.
Progress was steady and in 2006, Amin was delighted when Imman successfully found work with Mikkud, as a cleaner. This was a significant achievement for Imman, as it was the first time in her life she had been separated from her sister.
Wappa was also growing in confidence and just 3 months later felt that she was ready to start work herself. Shortly after, she began working full-time at a local chewing gum factory. Wappa took to the role immediately and began to enjoy her new working life.
Since then the difference in the two sisters has been marked. They both are clearly much happier, laughing and giggling during meetings with their goal planner at Amin. Imman joked that she was happy with her independence, saying (through sign language), "especially now I'm rid of her", pointing at Wappa. |