Nehama Baum completed her Social Work studies in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1958, with a specialization in family therapy for families who had a child with Cerebral Palsy. In a twist of fate, Nehama gave birth to her son, Michael “Muki” Baum, on September 1st, 1959. Not only did Muki have Cerebral Palsy, but he was also profoundly deaf.
When Muki was five months of age, doctors told his parents that “he will be a piece of meat you will carry with you all your life - put him in an institution.” His parents decided to ignore the doctor’s advice and instead use his mother’s professional expertise to help Muki learn and develop.
Nehama and her husband Moshe Baum made a commitment to each other and to their son that despite his severe physical and auditory challenges; Muki would be given every opportunity that life had to offer. He was exposed to art, music, drama, yoga, and various cuisines. His father carried him up to the mountain tops to see the spectacular views while they travelled, he was the first child to be integrated into the school system in Israel and he lived on his own for 10 years, prior to a spinal cord injury, to gain his independence.
Muki is a man full of life, determination and heart thanks to the quality of choices and opportunities that he was given. He has
developed a passion for sculpting and is an accomplished artist. However, what brings him the most joy is helping other children and adults with disabilities to reach their full potential by raising funds for MukiBaum Treatment Centres, the non-profit charitable organization that his mother founded in his name.
Since 1986, Muki has raised over $550,000.00 dollar by dollar within his community. He has met hundreds of people and has touched countless lives. But most importantly, Muki is happy. He is living out his life the way he chooses to and his family and the community provide support wherever needed. Muki is the epitome of ability beyond disability.
Muki’s family chose to provide the best quality of life that they could for their son and thanks to him, in 1979, Dr. Baum was inspired to create an organization to ensure that individuals with disabilities had a nurturing environment that can meet their specialized needs while encouraging them to share their talents and abilities with the world.
MukiBaum Treatment Centres continues to transform the lives of people with disabilities and their families and it is all thanks to our inspiration – Michael “Muki” Baum.