'I felt I was disappearing': the hidden cost of raising a child with disabilities

Raising a child with disabilities brings hidden struggles that extend beyond the emotional and financial challenges. For many parents, this includes the difficulty of maintaining employment. Adi, an English teacher and educational counselor, became one such parent when her son, diagnosed with autism, required extensive care and therapy.

The constant demands of his needs led her to cut her working hours, eventually leading to job loss altogether. Adi is among the approximately 1.7 million people with disabilities living in Israel, and around 338,000 of them are children, along with their families grappling with medical treatments, bureaucracy, and the emotional toll of caregiving.

Kesher, an organization supporting families with special needs, recognized this gap in employment rates among parents of children with disabilities. Studies show that despite 93% of these parents wanting to work, half are unable to due to intensive caregiving responsibilities, high living costs, and the security concerns of recent years.

Kesher's employment program aims to help parents return to the workforce, focusing on restoring their confidence and belief in their ability to succeed professionally. The program begins with workshops designed to rebuild participants' self-esteem and explore how their personal dreams as parents and individuals can fit within the realities of the job market and family needs.

For Carmit Rotman, a Kibbutz Netiv HaLamed-Heh resident with two daughters with disabilities, the impact was profound. After her partner left and she became the sole caregiver, she retrained as a teacher and worked as a kindergarten instructor, yet struggled to maintain consistent employment due to her inability to commit to extra hours or professional development.

The emotional and physical exhaustion culminated in her feeling like she was "disappearing into everyone else's lives." It wasn't until she joined Kesher's program that she found the community and practical tools she needed. Meeting other parents with similar experiences allowed her to see her own value and aspirations beyond just surviving daily challenges.

The program also offers practical assistance, such as resume-building, job search strategies, and networking advice, providing a supportive environment that makes reentry into the workforce possible.

Ayelet, a 36-year-old mother from southern Israel, shares a similar story. Initially dismissing her son's developmental delays, the situation escalated when he was diagnosed with autism. The need for constant care and the inability to find suitable childcare left her job in a new position. The financial burden and lack of a supportive system were overwhelming.

Kesher's program provided Ayelet with the emotional support and tools she needed to rebuild her confidence and approach to work. By connecting with other parents facing similar challenges, she realized her own potential to contribute professionally once again. Kesher's program thus plays a crucial role in not only helping parents return to work but also in restoring their sense of identity and self-worth.