From the time I was a few months old, I have faced many challenges. I suffered two CVAs (cerebral vascular accidents) better known as strokes. The strokes affected the right side of my brain.
The right side of the brain controls the ability to pay attention, recognize things you see, hear or touch, and be aware of your own body. In most people, the left side of the brain controls the ability to speak and understand language. Some people have spatial issues as well.
In my case, the strokes left me with left hemiparesis, meaning my entire left side was paralyzed and later on in life, my parents realized that I am completely deaf in my left ear. After my two strokes, doctors told my parents that I would never walk, talk or be able to learn in a mainstream classroom. My parents didn't listen. Instead they took me for OT and PT, leaving the room because I'd cry out in pain. But I gained movement and now have gross motor skills on my left side.
I believe in God because I am the recipient of His many blessings.
I started talking when I was about 12 months old and my cousins joke that ever since I've never shut up. Even though I should have difficulty with just one language, I am bilingual; I'm fluent in Hebrew. I took my first steps at the age of two and a half and was walking on my own at the age of three.
I believe in God because I am the recipient of His many miracles and blessings.
My parents were not aware of my hearing deficit until a routine hearing test at the age of three showed that I was "profusely and profoundly" deaf in my left ear. The doctors retested as I had no pronounced speech impediment which is prominent among those with deafness even on one side. I am not a candidate for a cochlear implant and have been able to hear people perfectly well and am able to safely drive a car. In a large noisy setting, I adjust my body to be able to hear them without being obvious and I was taught how to read lips.
From the time I started school, I was in mainstream classrooms and was reading before I began school. At the age of ten, I was able to help my step-sister in high school understand Shakespearean English and by 12, I read Gone With the Wind and books by authors such as Agatha Christie and Jane Austen from the adult section of the library. At the end of 8th grade, I had academic testing and the doctors were shocked when the results showed that my knowledge was grade 12+ in every subject except for in math (I hate math!). I was told I could skip high school but instead went to 9th grade. I was bored and at that point I was home-schooled. Afterward, when I went to college, I obtained high marks and received accolades from my professors when it came to my work.
Having had these challenges in life, I have naturally had my moments of wavering when it comes to my trust in God. When my trust wavers, I remind myself of all the miracles I have personally experienced.
My ability to walk, talk and learn aren’t the only miracles I’ve experienced. At age four, I was sitting on the top of an L-shaped couch which was in front of a window in in my grandparents' second-floor apartment. My mother was on the far end on the other side of the couch when I fell backward and right through the window! I remember seeing the street below and the large pieces of glass that remained in the window.
My mother somehow managed to jump from one side to the other and grabbed my feet as my head was outside the window. She managed to pull me in and called Hatzalah. To this day, I remember them taking shards of glass out of my thick, wavy hair with tape, telling my mother that I had no lacerations to my head or face.
As a child, I was tormented by some of my peers for being different. They’d laugh at the way I walk or taunt me about my inability to play sports. Even in adulthood, I had an employer tell me that I walked funny. Last year, my former employer told me, “Ariel, you won’t get a job in this field or the other field you are interested in because you are different and people want normal.”
What he doesn't know is that different isn't a bad thing. It just means that I've had an interesting journey. I have done things in my life which doctors, the top in their fields, said I would never do. But God runs the world.
I hate being told that I'm handicapped; I’m not. I am handi-capable. So I can play piano with only one hand. Some people can't play with two. So I can't play sports, but I don’t even like sports so that doesn't cause me any issues. I might walk slower than some or have a heavy tread, but does that make me incapable? I don't think so. I can walk, talk, go to college, excel in school, drive, and do almost anything else that "normal" people do.
My belief in God has given me the confidence to live on my own and deny the many naysayers. It has not been easy.
Trusting in God is not the easiest of things. While I have complete faith in His existence, I do not always have trust in Him. Some days, I want to scream, "Where are you? What is your plan for me?" Faith in God is believing He exists. Having complete trust in God means that living with the awareness that He is an intimate part of your life and that every single thing that happens is for your good. Living with that awareness is a struggle, even though I’ve experienced so many miracles in my life. .
I'm not where I wanted to be at this stage of my life. I believe that God has a plan for me and that I'll be where I'm meant to be, even if it takes me longer than I planned. If He didn't, He would not have given me the abilities that I have. My belief in God has given me the confidence to go to college, live on my own and support myself, and deny the many naysayers who said that I would never be able to achieve my goals. I thank God for blessing me with the strength to overcome adversity and thank Him for my life with all its challenges.
(22) Anonymous, September 24, 2019 8:54 PM
so amazing! May you go from strength to strength and reach your goals
This young lady is total inspiration...
Never give up!
Keep your head high chin up and don't listen to naysayers..
YOU know better than them.
Chazak ! May you go from strength to strength
(21) Anonymous, November 6, 2016 1:53 AM
Inspiration!
I am so inspired by your story. You have so much strength and wisdom. Thank you for sharing your journey. I feel I have gained so much. Thank you.
Ariel Rose Goldstein, November 8, 2016 1:54 AM
THANKS
Thank you for your kind words
(20) @@H.E.Brown, November 2, 2016 12:02 PM
Inspiring!
Very inspiring!
(19) shilvib puri, November 2, 2016 5:48 AM
VERY WELL SAID
VERY WELL SAID
(18) Keren, November 2, 2016 1:05 AM
A true inspiration!
Wow!!!! I am in awe of you and I commend you for your perseverance and strength in your life challenges and for having the courage to write such an article. You can't imagine how many people will be inspired in reading about your strength and determination in overcoming your various health struggles and limitations and still maintaining your trust in H-shem. What an inspiration you are especially to those who are handicapped or challenged. Yes you are "handi-capable" and more. And kudos to your amazing parents who believed in you and pushed for you to receive the therapies and interventions you needed. You give encouragement to other parents and children who are challenged to never give up, to trust in H' and to hope for a brighter future. Ariel, please continue to tell your story as you are true inspiration. May H-shem grant you a long healthy and happy life and may you soon merit to meet your true bashert who will surely appreciate you!! Chizki V'imtzi!!
(17) Howard (Chayim), November 1, 2016 3:17 PM
You cannot know that you can not do something until you try-keep believing in your self.
As long as you believe in your self you will be able to do anything you want and to be what ever you want to be. G-d bless and may the years be beautiful and bountiful.
(16) Chaya, October 31, 2016 2:56 PM
Kol Hakavod to you!!
Your parents must look at you and beam with SUCH pride! You are doing EXACTLY what Hashem wants you to do! Imagine how proud HE is of you!! I wish you AMAZING mazal and happiness in your life, which I am SURE that you will have. Hashem has TREMENDOUS things in store for you. Just wait and see!!!
(15) Pascale, October 31, 2016 5:00 AM
Way to go
Dear Ariel Rose My darling you understood it all... you are very inspiring but most of all you are thankful to H. Don't worry about bitachon , the more you experience miracles and get to realise that everything is a miracle, even the fact that the milk actually does get cold in the fridge, the more you will see His hand the more you will become an even greater recipient of His kindness. May you always feel H's love and may we see you very soon under the Houpa. May you be blessed with all good things. Love
(14) dvora, October 31, 2016 2:00 AM
keep up
Ariel
People who have not had such big challenges do not understand people who did. This does not matter. Keep up, form a beautifull jewish family..just pray for it and it will come true B'H. Good luck
(13) Anonymous, October 31, 2016 12:36 AM
Amazing story! Very inspiring! Wish you much continued success in your life.
(12) Anonymous, October 31, 2016 12:25 AM
Wow! How incredibly inspiring. Ariel, with your positive outlook and relationship with Hashem, I'm sure that you will go very far in life!
(11) CR Moss, October 31, 2016 12:11 AM
Amazing
You are an inspiration! G-d would not have given us each different fingerprints if He had wanted us all to be the same. What didn't break you made you so much stronger and deeper and more wise. You will see as time goes on how your struggles become stepping stones that enable you to reach greater destinations than you ever imagined. Hatzlacha as you continue on your amazing journey! May Hashem continue to give you the strength to be a "survivor guide" - capable of teaching others so many important lessons...
(10) Virginia McCorkle, October 30, 2016 10:31 PM
You are beautiful & perfect--just the way you are!
Ariel--Many blessings on you for sharing your story and vulnerability with aish.com readers: It is a way of healing at deeper levels, helps you w/accepting that "what is" is more than "ok"--it's especially beautiful & perfect. You may not be where you want to be--join the club--there are many of us in that same place when all G-d asks is that we accept it, find a way to be at peace w/it from one moment to the next. Consider that each breath/heartbeat are communications w/& gifts from G-d--a way to raise our awareness of G-d's constant Presence in our lives. Everyone has handi-caps--some just aren't aware of it because they aren't on a visible level; but judgment is a handicap & so are perceptions that limit how others are seen. Know you are loved beyond measure, & that you are all love: Everything that isn't love is just a garlic husk--& you're shedding them all the time! Celebrate your being & smile when you see yourself in a mirror--you are so far ahead of "the game" in terms of awareness & conscious living: Can you understand & maybe celebrate this a little? Maybe offer your wisdom to others who aren't there yet? Have you looked at ways to be of service to those who need to learn what you have? Trust your heart to lead you to exactly where & what you need to be & do.
(9) Ra'anan, October 30, 2016 9:54 PM
people don't want "normal," they want...
GOOD! And YOU ARE GOOD! B"SD
Thanks for inspiring me!!!
(8) Anonymous, October 30, 2016 8:54 PM
Love your honesty!
I love your resilience, your courage and most of all, your honesty. Thank you being REAL. It's what makes this article so special. You didn't try to cover up your challenges or your issues with trust in G-d and that's what makes your words so genuine. Words from the heart enter the heart - Thank you!!!!! Hatzlacha with everything!!!
(7) Pauline Sonboleh, October 30, 2016 7:38 PM
Wishing you a long life with continuing blessings from Ha Shem
I am 87 years old,Baruch HaShem, and I truly believe like you ,that only Faith and Trust in Ha Shem gives me the physical and Spiritual strength to over come adversity,which happens for a reason. Pauline Sonbolehb
(6) esther, October 30, 2016 4:42 PM
Wow u have given me chizuk as well as countless others it seems, and i would say to EVERY person who hears ur story, even if they dont say it. Pity we humans dont always share our feelings of admiration with those who inspire us but i promise YOU are invoking those feelings to everyone reading ur words, thank you and may Hashem bless u.
Ariel Rose Goldstein, October 30, 2016 9:05 PM
Thank you!!! Some people are ignorant and only accept those who look, sound or act as they do. Even without the things that make me "different", I would not want to be a cookie cutter and fit mold.
(5) Josephine Basher, October 30, 2016 11:55 AM
Amazing!
Wow! Thank you for sharing. You are a tremendous inspiration. There are no limits except the ones you put on yourself. You can do anything! I wish you continued Brocha vHatzlocha as you journey forward and reach new goals!
(4) Anonymous, October 30, 2016 9:54 AM
Thank You For Sharing Your Story
You have displayed so much strength and can inspire so may with your story.
Who among us can say that they are where they want to be at any stage of life or at any age? My guess is very few! Yet s you have accomplished so much!
May G-d give you the strength to continue to hold on to your faith and continue to accomplish.
Anonymous, October 30, 2016 9:06 PM
Thank you! From your lips to G-d's ears.
(3) Anonymous, October 28, 2016 9:37 AM
Powerful
My son had bacterial meningitis at 2 months of age. After being on life support for a week and seeing the scans we were told that if he survived he will be a vegetable at best, never walking, talking, or eating on his his own.we pushed and fought trying different therapies and advocating for hime all along. Today he is in a first grade classroom with special support for his right side hemiparisis and some adhd which he may likely have had regardless due to genetics . How can one experience these miracles of life and not become stronger in their belief in G-d? I too had my questions, struggles accepting, and thought I had a large enough package to handle and was exempt from further struggles. But I was wrong. Life's a journey and there are no guarantees. But my son is walking, talking, hears perfectly, is charming, and a bundle of joy! I am blessed!
Ariel Rose Goldstein, October 30, 2016 4:17 AM
Life is most definitely a journey. I wish your son the best in everything.
(2) Nancy, October 27, 2016 11:54 AM
Re: Naysayers
I like to stay far away from those types of people. Instead I focus on way showers. This world is filled with determined and motivated people who fit into that category. I saw that phrase in a book and it really resonated with me. Yasher Koach to you!! Thank you so much for sharing your journey. Please write more articles for aish.
Anonymous, October 30, 2016 4:20 AM
Thank you so much for your kind words. My journey is still continuing as I'm 31 and plan to live a long, fulfilling life. There is definitely more to write about, so I will try to write more!
(1) Dassi, October 27, 2016 3:17 AM
wow!
You are such an amazing person! Thank you so much for sharing your story- so inspirational and moving
Anonymous, October 30, 2016 4:22 AM
Thank you for your kind words. Not everyone sees it the way you do. At this point in my life, I'm living life for me and the naysayers can jump in a lake!