As Channukah ends and Christmas and the New Year approach, I’d like to dedicate this blog to personal and organized goodwill…and how Social Media comes into the picture.
I’ll start on a personal note.
My mother recently underwent total knee replacement surgery. As a result, she is in need of a CPM machine – which is a type of torture mechanism that looks as though it evolved from the middle ages. This Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) machine bends the knee in a passive way – assisting in healing and strengthening the knee.
Here started the quest for a CPM machine – which can be borrowed / rented for home use.
In Israel, there are a number of wonderful organizations which provide services designed to make life easier for the sick or disabled, for free or at a nominal cost.
One of the largest and better known is Yad Sarah. I spent hours calling every branch in the country looking for a CPM machine – but not even one was available. I continued my search and came across another organization called Ner David. Despite trying to help, they didn’t have an available CPM machine either.
By now – I was rather concerned. This machine is essential to my mother’s recuperation and getting her back on her own two feet.
I turned to Facebook – and changed my status asking if anyone knew where I could find a CPM machine. I must admit – I didn’t have high hopes – but decided there was nothing to lose. A wonderful cousin (thanks Sabrena) saw my Facebook posting and contacted a friend. The friend in turn contacted his mum and she provided vitally important information – the name of two other voluntary organizations – Ezer Mizion and Ezra Lemarpeh who among other fantastic voluntary work, also lend and rent out medical equipment! Aha – another couple of phone calls – and I found the ultimate prize at Ezra Lemarpeh– a CPM machine!
I would like to thank all involved and share how with a social media posting and a good dose of personal and organizational goodwill, we managed to get the job done!