Cohen was born with Trisomy 9 Mosaic, a rare chromosomal disorder. Most babies born with this syndrome do not survive their first birthday. Yet Ari, who struggles with even the most basic of tasks, has thrived beyond anyone’s expectations. Even so, he doesn’t speak, is not toilet-trained, and has difficulty focusing.
But despite his disabilities, Leah Cohen was determined to give her son the Gan Israel experience. “Ari is in public school all year,” says his mother, “and camp is his one chance to be together with other kids in a fun, Jewish environment.” Mrs. Cohen found her son a camp, Gan Israel of Boca Raton, Florida, and the indispensable shadow to accompany him there.
A Boy For All Camps
It’s hard for the average kid to be in two places at once. But Ari Cohen is not your average kid. Last summer, the spunky six-year old became a favorite of 83 Gan Israel day camps around the world. This year, he hopes to make even more friends.
Cohen was born with Trisomy 9 Mosaic, a rare chromosomal disorder. Most babies born with this syndrome do not survive their first birthday. Yet Ari, who struggles with even the most basic of tasks, has thrived beyond anyone’s expectations. Even so, he doesn’t speak, is not toilet-trained, and has difficulty focusing.
But despite his disabilities, Leah Cohen was determined to give her son the Gan Israel experience. “Ari is in public school all year,” says his mother, “and camp is his one chance to be together with other kids in a fun, Jewish environment.” Mrs. Cohen found her son a camp, Gan Israel of Boca Raton, Florida, and the indispensable shadow to accompany him there.
