At 77, retired engineer Ilan Berman traded his Intel badge for a 3D printer at ALYN Hospital, turning a small corner workshop into a “lab of miracles” for children with disabilities. “There is no greater satisfaction than seeing a child succeed in being independent for the first time,”
Ilan Berman: PELE Volunteer Spotlight
(Source material from news article in Ynet – see below for link)
Independence by Design
At 77, retired engineer Ilan Berman traded his Intel badge for a 3D printer at ALYN Hospital, turning a small corner workshop into a “lab of miracles” for children with disabilities. “There is no greater satisfaction than seeing a child succeed in being independent for the first time,” he says. Since 2015, Ilan has volunteered in PELE: Personalized Equipment Leading to Empowerment, as part of a team developing personalized devices that increase independence for children with disabilities.
Small Devices, Big Impact
Each invention begins with a request from a parent or therapist: a child who cannot press a computer button, another who cannot hold a cup, and another who cannot put on tefillin. Ilan studies the child’s limitations, sketches ideas, and prints prototypes—sometimes finishing a simple device in a day, sometimes refining a complex chair over six versions. From finger-controlled switches to mouth-operated controls, each creation is a custom key that unlocks independence.
Moments That Matter
Parents thank Ilan for solving problems that troubled their children, while the children—less verbal because of their disabilities—give thanks with shining eyes. Liat, the mother of four-year-old Noam, recalls how a custom bottle-holder meant he could finally drink when thirsty. “He can’t speak or ask for a drink,” she says. “That device changed everything.” When Noam ran a local race wearing specially made shoes, his radiant smile said it all.
A Community of Support
“Seeing how people rally to help is what moves me most,” Ilan shares. When ALYN needed 200 specialized metal parts for a new kindergarten chair, a Jerusalem workshop donated them all. In collaboration with PELE’s technical director and therapy advisory team, Ilan now produces modular chairs for nursery schools that can be adjusted to fit each child’s legs, hips, and chest—safely, quickly, and affordably.
How You Can Help
From his first prototype to his latest chair, Ilan’s creations show how every tool that restores independence starts with generosity. Your donations to ALYN fuels these innovations—providing the 3D printers, materials, and expert collaboration needed to design life-changing solutions. When you give to PELE, you’re not just donating funds—you’re planting seeds of capability, self-respect, and lifelong independence for children with physical challenges who need it most.
Donate now to support ALYN’s “lab of miracles” : ALYN Hospital - Pediatric & Adolescent Rehabilitation Center - Secured donations and select PELE Project
Based on article by Ophir Holzman, 17 Feb 2025
https://www.ynet.co.il/activism/article/s14xhgftkx
