CNS STORY: Irish family in Israel says special-needs child brought new attitude

Jerry Casey smiles at his daughter Rachel at their family's apartment in Jerusalem. Rachel, nearing 3 years old, was born with Down syndrome and severe heart defects. (CNS/Debbie Hill)

By Judith Sudilovsky
Catholic News Service

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Before their daughter Rachel was born almost three years ago, Theresa and Gerry Casey did not travel very much with their three older children, preferring to wait until taking trips with them would be easier.

But Rachel, who was born with Down syndrome and severe heart defects, changed all that.

In Israel for nearly 16 months, the family has explored the country from Mount Hermon in the north to the Dead Sea in the south. They have taken trips to Egypt and Jordan as well.

"Rachel made us open our eyes ... and appreciate life," said Theresa Casey, 38, who came to Jerusalem from her native Ireland with her family when Gerry was posted to Israel as part of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization based in Jerusalem.

Rachel also helped the Irish Catholic family see a side of Israel many foreigners assigned to the country do not often see, said Theresa, sitting next to pajama-clad Rachel, who hammed it up for visitors with her stuffed dog and half-full bottle of milk.

After four postings in Lebanon and one in Bosnia, Gerry, 40, volunteered to go to Israel to get Rachel to a drier climate, something their cardiologist had recommended would help the development of her weak lungs and increase her life expectancy by five years.

Before moving his family, Gerry began searching for a place where Rachel could receive treatment for her chronic health problems. Through a series of coincidences he discovered Shalva, the association for mentally and physically challenged children in Israel. Shalva is located in an ultra-Orthodox section of West Jerusalem where few members of the international community venture.

"(Shalva) is (in) a very Jewish area and I felt they would be biased against me because I was Roman Catholic and from the U.N., which they generally do not see in a positive light," Gerry said. Instead of rejection the family found that Shalva's staff was willing to make special arrangements so Rachel could receive treatment.

The relationship with Shalva is allowing the Caseys to return to Ireland in January with additional skills to help Rachel. At Shalva, Rachel received up to eight types of therapy treatments three times a week. In Ireland, she received one hour of a single treatment every month.

"Once a month is not going to do it for me now," Theresa said.

Rachel, now almost 3, has had five heart procedures since 2007, the most recent a month ago in Israel. Following the successful operation Rachel contracted pneumonia and spent 12 days under intensive care.

Members of St. Mary's Parish in Sligo, Ireland, the Caseys' Catholic faith has helped them through difficult decisions regarding Rachel's future. Having Rachel in their lives also has helped them appreciate life more fully.

"We thank God every day we have her," Theresa said. "We've almost lost her on a couple occasions and she has made us realize how fragile (life is). This child was destined for us because of our family setup. She's a special child and God sent her to us. She has brought a lot of compassion to us."

While once hesitant about what awaited them in Israel, the Caseys decided that before leaving the country they wanted to show their international friends the Israel they had experienced. In early November they hosted a reception at Shalva so their friends could see where Rachel had spent the last 12 months.

"We saw this as a great way of highlighting ... the idea that the Jewish areas are not closed off to anyone," Theresa said. "Anyone who (sees Shalva's work) will have a different view of Israelis. They value the most vulnerable in society. You walk down the street here and strangers smile at Rachel. People are very compassionate toward children in Israel."

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