Why I'm celebrating 7 years of being in a wheelchair

The anniversary of my becoming disabled falls exactly 2 weeks before Rosh Hashana in the month of Ellul. This auspicious time of year is when we are all supposed to do a cheshbon hanefesh (an internal soul searching) so I always find myself doing a review of my yearly progress or decline. So for interested friends, this post is about why I will be celebrating 7 years of being in a wheelchair.

This year, as with every other year of being disabled, brought forth a new health issue to deal with. It was quite unexpected and took me by surprise. The effect was to hit me quite literally like a punch in the stomach.  I had worked so hard on myself to be positive, happy and content with my lot and this just was one problem too many for me to handle. What had I done to deserve this?

I asked myself this question, I asked a tsaddik this question and I asked G-d this question. No answers were forthcoming. But G-d found me the solution. He didn't take the health problem away, he just gave me Pesach to worry about instead!

The ability to handle and live with my health issues was a big step forward. This small step gave me the confidence to make a giant leap. The main gripe I have with being disabled is not being completely independent. But independence is really only a frame of mind. Today we have the technology for physically challenged people to live a totally independent life.

So I got my electric wheelchair fixed, and started a new life. Small trips gave me immense joy. The first time I took one of my kids to the doctor on my own was such an amazing experience. Then I got braver, a bus and train trip on my own. It was kind of scarey, but this is Israel and everyone mucks in to help. Now I can go out without the expense of a taxi.

The next step is to pass my driving test, and drive an adapted car. It's hard because of my hand problems, but I'm going to go for it. Independence is not only about mobility. It's about doing things for yourself. Even when it takes 10 minutes to make a cup of coffee and you spill a little on the way, it tastes better when you make it yourself.

What lessons can I pass on to  my friends? Call out to G-d when you have a problem, no matter how small it is. G-d will find you the solution. We live in a world without answers, only questions. Keep asking G-d to help you and you will get the best help for your situation.

Please let me hear your thoughts.

Should you brand yourself or your business?

When I first started to work in Internet Marketing I rushed to register a catchy domain name for my online consultancy business. With a great name I enthusiastically set up a simple website for myself,
www.isra-search.com. Then along came social media and blogging. So I thought up a catchy name for my blog - Jewnet - and used it for my social media accounts.

The name of the game then was to create a brand - like a Jewish Techcrunch or Mashable - and promote it on any social media site. So then I had a business name, a brand name and a personal name. Which of these names should I market? Which of these is more valuable to me? Which of these three is going to bring me more business?


I've clocked up almost 30 years in the marketing business. People choose me to do their work not my company or brand. People will check me out by googling my name. What appears on page 1 of Google for Shoshana Yossef is crucial for me. I've come to the decision that my own name is the most valuable asset I own.


I believe we're in the age and business of personal branding. I've always wanted my 2 minutes of fame. Now I have the chance of fame for the rest of my lifetime.  If I had a product to sell I would brand it heavily, but the product for sale here is me and my skills. This is my first blog entry for Shoshana Yossef and I'm humbly going to promote her.


Your views?