First off, if you’re here, that means you have a kind heart, so thank you.

Let me introduce myself.

Hi, My name is Dave - but most people call me Dave the Brave.

I went into caridac arrest during birth. Despite being born with hydrocephalus, epilepsy and brain damage you will always see me smiling, singing, and nodding my head in time with the music. Even though my life is full of challenges, my nickname is "King Sunshine", for reasons that are apparent when you meet me in person. Despite my challenges, I pushed through life, imitating my "irish twin", my brother born soon after. I made doctors mouths drop open as I defied the medical predicitons that I would never walk, talk or be able to take care of myself.

I grew up in England, but there wasn’t enough there to promise me happiness, to promise me a future, a chance at life. So at the age of 9, when no jewish yeshiva could accomodate me, my entire family left their lives and family behind to move to New York. We moved for one reason: so that I could have a better chance at life. And boy, was it worth the move. I’ve benefitted greatly from the plethora of Jewish Organizations that are devoted to enhancing the life of special needs individuals, and I am proud to say that Yachad is one of them.

Yachad fills my life with joy. Yachad shows me that I matter. Yachad gives me a place to belong, a place to thrive, to be the greatest version of myself.

I am 30 years old, an uncle to 3 nieces and nephews and the oldest of my 6 siblings. Although I’m the oldest, the roles are often reversed. My younger siblings all take care of me, help me get dressed, cut my food, say Shema with me each night, and give me nothing but love. They sit on the floor to play train tracks with me, or read me books that I can’t read myself. But that’s ok.

Because even though I’m different, thanks to places like Yachad, I belong. I wait each week to go to the Yachad drum circle, where my love for music is celebrated. I go on trips, I’m invited to Chanukah parties… did you hear that word? Invited. I’m invited. Yachad has opened up worlds for me.

It’s a place where I belong.

Can you help me raise money for a place that opens their heart so I can live a better life?

I can’t count that well, but I know that every dollar counts.

So thank you.

See ya,

Dave the Brave

Yachad National Giving Day 2022

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