‘No Longer The Girl They Pity At The Playground’: Brooklyn Mom Harnesses Adaptive Design

“Come up! Come up!,” says Nurit Ozeri, welcoming me into her Ocean Parkway home. She bolts up the stairs to the second floor and swings open the door — which has a small “Shalom Y’all” sign at eye level.

This welcoming moment connects to Ozeri’s generous and invaluable project — providing resources for families who have children with special needs.

Ozeri grew up in a Jewish community in Mexico City and came to the U.S. about 20 years ago. Originally settling in San Francisco, she began her career in advertisement. After a few more short moves around the country, Ozeri met her husband, Hagi Jellinek. They have lived in their Kensington apartment for over a decade.

What started out as a couple grew to a quintet when Ozeri gave birth to triplets about five years ago. “Children change everything. Triplets change everything even more,” she says.

Ozeri gave birth at 28 weeks, and was unable to take her children home for three months. Their premature births necessitated being in an incubator at the hospital for that period of time.

Ozeri and Jellinek would learn that their daughter Danna has cerebral palsy. “We were trying to have children for many years,” says Ozeri. “And honestly, when I found out, I was devastated that my daughter was sick.”

Danna’s two brothers — Roei and Etai — would both receive a different diagnosis when they were 2-years-old. Both boys are autistic.

Roei has PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified), one of three autism spectrum disorders — and also sometimes referred to as “atypical autism.”

Etai was also diagnosed with PDD-NOS. In addition, he has CAS (Childhood Apraxia of Speech), a motor speech disorder. Children with CAS have issues involving sounds, syllables, and words.

“You can imagine it is difficult,” says Ozeri. “But my father said something very important to me: ‘You cannot change your destiny, but you can change your outlook.’ And I think about those words all the time.”

And with that outlook, Ozeri is doing some amazing things for all of her children. “America is a place where disabilities have a system. They can be handled. And I think this country really does believe that people with disabilities can be productive.”

What was first personal has become an opportunity for Ozeri to perform acts of fearless problem-solving on a daily basis. She is actively and tirelessly engaged in this movement.

In late January, NY1 reporter Kristen Shaughnessy delivered an eye-opening report on adaptive design. Adaptive Design Association (ADA) is engaged in creating corrugated cardboard products that make simple adjustments in everyday items to improve the lives of those with special needs. But simple adjustments have powerful outcomes.

Danna and Ozeri were featured in another of Shaughnessy’s segments. Ozeri explains to Shaughnessy how adaptive design has helped to improve Danna’s life. “Until I meet these people [ADA], she was just sitting in a high chair for a baby and it’s not good for her posture and it’s not good for her age, and it’s not good for her self-esteem,” she says.

Ozeri took a moment to demonstrate the usage of Danna’s car after it was refashioned with adaptive design elements. A seating element helps to support her posture, and a circular, red “button” helps Danna to propel the toy car forward with the back of her head.

Ozeri tells us of the first time she took Danna to the park with her new car. “It used to hurt when I took Danna there. The kids would look at her, and she couldn’t participate,” she says. “But now, the kids love seeing her in the car. Maybe some are even jealous! She’s no longer the girl they pity at the playground.”

And Ozeri wants to give back. “I bought another toy car to give to another family. You have to give back,” she says.

Ozeri leads me upstairs to her second floor where the children live. Any parent would be jealous of the meticulously organized space. Most impressive are the shelves of toys, which she has organized by child and function. “Those action-toys over there are for Danna,” she explains.

Ozeri has created an environment that she hopes will soothe the children. “I love these CDs right here. Sounds of nature help them relax.”

Her children’s health is top priority for their mother. “My children are gluten-free, dairy-free, and eat only organic foods,” says Ozeri.

At one point, Etai is trying to communicate — he’s reaching for a bowl of cereal. I asked if she works with him on sign language. “I rather him be challenged to make sounds. If we used sign language, I think he would remain in silence.”

When the kids are asleep, Ozeri then begins her other job — she works from home late at night in advertisement.

But that isn’t all she is working on.

Ozeri explains to us that “when your kid has a disability, doctors often tell you ‘it’s ok.’ But if you think about it, ‘it’s ok’ doesn’t really have much meaning. It’s ok in relation to what?  I want to give that term meaning. Because I want to say to other parents with children who have special needs, ‘it really is going to be ok.'”

Just this week, she has launched a website called itsokcontigo.com. “It’s a Spanish-language site that will assist the Spanish-speaking community that don’t have access to as many resources for parents who have children with special needs,” explains Ozeri. “The English-language site will be coming at the end of May.”

Its OK from Nurit Ozeri on Vimeo.

Ozeri has a series of other ideas that she wants to make a reality. “I plan to create shirts and shoes that will let people know if an autistic child needs assistance. If you see a child wearing these while they’re alone, you will know to help them,” she says.

At one point in the middle of the visit, Ozeri moves her hand up to her head in exasperation. “I didn’t offer you anything when you came in! I’m such a bad hostess.”  Of course, Ozeri is as genial as can be.

When I asked how she was doing, Ozeri admits that life is challenging on a daily basis. “Statistics are not good for families who have children with disabilities.  Lots of marriages are broken. Maybe a husband can love their wife, but maybe also they can’t accept that the children are as they are.”

It’s one of the few moment when Ozeri displays her sadness. But her tone changes quickly. “I see my daughter as a hero. I cannot leave her money, but I can leave her experiences. I can leave my children itsokcontigo.com.”

Ozeri and I are finishing our visit. She insists on walking me down the stairs and onto the sidewalk. In addition, she invites my family over to Shabbat dinner. “You have to join us soon,” she says. “There’s always room.”

I ask her what she is up to this evening.

“I have the site to work on. The way I see it, the night is long — but coffee is cheap. You know?”