Ina, 34 years old, and mother to Kfir and Shira, is an expert vocational coach in Bayit Cham’s northern region division.
Ina and her family made aliya when she was two years old, after she was diagnosed with a hearing impairment. In Israel, she was fitted with various hearing aids. When they were no longer effective, she underwent cochlear implant surgery which partially improved her hearing.
After struggling with employment – job changes and other challenges – these days she is part of our team of vocational coaches, helping people with various disabilities find jobs in mainstream workplaces. She empowers them with the skills they need for the job, establishes contact with potential employers, finds them suitable positions and offers all the support they need to go through the process and succeed.
“I used to be a graphic designer. I loved it, but it didn’t give me enough satisfaction; that’s why I felt that I needed a change.
I started working at Bayit Cham about a year ago and the experience is amazing. Extremely fulfilling… I really like the work and the satisfaction of working with people.
I feel that I help people, and meet them where they’re at in their struggles, and due to my own experiences, I very much identify with them; I empathize with their challenges and with the fears that they encounter.
I don’t always hear them well. I explain to them that I lipread, and just like they cope with difficulty, I have my physical challenge, and here’s where we need to accommodate and help each other. Sometimes I need to ask them to repeat themselves. I appreciate that they make the effort, understand that I don’t always hear well and step forward to meet my needs so that that I can help them with theirs.
Zoom meetings are also challenging. Bayit Cham transcribes the lectures and staff training sessions, which is so amazing. Phone calls are also difficult but here, too, Bayit Cham accommodates me and provided me with a more technically advanced phone that supports Bluetooth with direct audio streaming to the processor, so that I can work more productively. And even when I place phone calls, I explain that I am hearing impaired and ask that they speak slowly and enunciate more clearly.
A significant part of the job, one which I really enjoy, is my colleagues and the people I learn from. My director. The human element is critical, and when I see that I am seen and accepted, it gives me space and ground in which I can grow.
My message?
Do what you love along with the challenges and difficulties. The love, professionalism, the will and personal development – will make you a better person. When you love what you do, you get good at it 😉.
In this past year I have progressed personally and professionally and I welcome all the learning and all the new information, and especially the caring staff that I work with at Bayit Cham – they are warm, loving and eager to help. In the workplace, this advantage is not something to be taken for granted.”
Ina may not hear well, but she is so attentive and helps her clients on their amazing journeys!
In addition, in connection with the week-long celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Ina made an informative, creative presentation for adorable first graders, with age-appropriate content, of course. The children listened with rapt attention and asked questions…
So, Ina, we are sorry that you experienced difficulties at work in the past, but we’re also a little happy because you ended up coming to us😉 You are simply professional, humane, pleasant and amazing… Thank you for the privilege of making satisfying work accessible to you while we gain from it – we are privileged to have you on our team 🙏
Keep growing and succeeding ❤️
