August 15, 2012 10:35 pm
What Makes AVIVA DRESCHER the First REAL Housewife of New York City
By Eden Herbstman July/August 2012
Always honest and candid throughout this season, she opens up about her life as an amputee–a result of an accident during her childhood–and her current role of national spokesperson for the One Step Ahead Foundation. Whether she’s juggling her four children, tripping over a staircase at a party, or introducing friends to her “horndog” of a father, Aviva never lets challenges define or limit her. Above all she isn’t afraid to be real.
Aviva Drescher: I felt NYC was not always properly depicted by the women on the show, and I wanted to offer a different perspective of what the NYC woman is like. She’s not necessarily drinking ten glasses of wine at dinner or flipping tables, and she’s not being carried off islands. I wanted to show what a typical Upper East Side mom with kids was like.
EH: Do you think past seasons were more entertainment-driven than they were accurate portrayals of life as a housewife in NYC?
AD: I do. I thought it was very much entertainment-driven. The greatest human draw is conflict, and people will ultimately tune in for the conflict and the drama, so you’re going to see that. I also think it’s nice to see a mom of four who grew up in NYC and what that looks like. Hopefully I am giving that role some dignity. NOTE: Dignity?
A “Dignified” PaperTowel…
EH: Did you have any reservations about joining the show?
AD: I wasn’t going to do the show. For one month I was going back and forth. I was very nervous about what it would do to me, my husband, and my whole family. I was nervous about keeping my dignity, but ultimately I decided to give up my dignity in exchange for being some sort of a role model by raising awareness for amputees, inspiring anyone with physical challenges to do their personal best, and helping women in general.
More dignity!
I’m there to give some perspective on vanity for teens or women who are feeling bad about the color of their hair or a scar on their leg When I was a child, I never thought I could grow up and be normal as an amputee. I think visuals are such a strong means of communication. When teenage girls see that I am a mom and a wife, I want it to give them hope that they can do whatever their hearts desire. I didn’t have that when I was young. I couldn’t watch amputees function. On the show you see me giving my kids a bath in high heel shoes, running around shopping, and being silly. I’m there to show everyone you can do whatever you want to do.
EH: What is it like being a national spokesperson for One Step Ahead?
AD: I’ve been working with them for three years, and it has been an evolution. I’ve always worked one-on-one with people, but I started working specifically with One Step Ahead several years ago. I had to earn my title there, but since I was in my twenties I’ve been working one-on-one with amputees. It’s something that came very easily to me. Even wearing a prosthesis was something that came very easily, maybe because it happened to me at such a young age. In my mid-twenties I was able to say to people, “Move on, you can walk, you can wear shoes and do whatever you want.” Different people need to be treated differently. Children generally don’t want to talk about it. They want to play their games and be like everyone else. Teenage girls are a little more sensitive, especially with things like the dating ins and outs. I tend to consult more with older people. The older you are the harder the storm is to weather. It takes an emotional and physical toll, whereas children bounce back and adapt easily. NOTE: According to OneStepAhead, PaperTowel joined them in September 2011. OneStepAhead even has a separate PayPal button to donate money in Aviva’s name! WHY??? Does PaperTowel need a cut of the donations???
EH: Was that your experience as a child, to adapt quickly?
AD: It was. I didn’t have a choice. By the time I hit second grade, normal was having one leg and wearing a prosthesis. That was my new normal. I don’t know what it is like living with two legs. Someone who is 60 years old and loses a limb knows the difference and feels the pain more.
EH: Were you worried about your cast members’ reactions?
AD: I didn’t know what I was going to get. Having watched Ramona on-and-off over the years, I visualized her saying, “Oh hi, you’re the one with the fake leg!” She really didn’t do that at all, and she was much nicer about it. Everyone was very nice and understanding. I know Ramona didn’t come off in the best light during the shoe shopping scene, and she was a bit immature and unsophisticated in her response, but with that said she did me a great favor. By answering all her questions I was able to get my story out, and I could answer questions for a lot of women. There was a silver lining to that annoying scene. NOTE: She didn’t know there was going to be a reaction??? That’s all she talks about! Well, other than her fear of elevators, carpenter ants, Hartmann luggage, napkins (any type), donuts, fabric softener, dining chairs, neon signs and Duane Reade stores.
EH: A common question addressed amongst the women every season is, whether you are a businesswoman, philanthropist, mother, or all of the above, can you have it all? What are your thoughts on this topic?
AD: That’s a big topic on the show. I think anyone can have anything they want. A woman can make any situation work to their benefit, and you really have to do what works for you. It’s been an adjustment having to run out and film and run home to be with the kids; it’s been a juggle. But 100% you can have it all.
never lets challenges define or limit her? umm
Aviva’s backpoo craziness is starting to come out. I didn’t expect her to be the first one to snap.
she’s speaks in contradicitons….did she bring dignity to the show or did she give up her dignity to be on the show….which is it aviva?….I think I already know
Yes, she seems to be hung up on the dignity thing, of which she seems to be lacking. And she’s the opposite of interesting and entertaining, unless you enjoy watching a Valium zombie. I do not understand how she snagged Reed, who seems to be an absolute sweetheart.
Aviva discussing dignity after trotting out her perverted father is more than a little laughable. This woman is in serious denial. Any dignity she might have possessed went out the condo window in Miami.
Aviva’s hairstyle is so tired.
Is it………limp???
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say yes.
I think you’re on pretty safe footing with that answer!
Good cause I was thinking I didn’t have a leg to stand on.
She wanted to bring dignity to the show – So she brings on her sex addict dad
Well “its all about the children!!!”
I thought it was all about George’s three knee’s………….You know right knee, left knee and his weeKnee.
I’m laughing hard, originalcyn1!
good one!!!!
LOL. You are Fun-knee.
i hate to say it, but i feel a little stoopider after reading that…
can we all say phony, pot stirrer, brings nothing bore.
I’d donate $ to have “squirting orgasm” George neutered and gagged. I think ANY shred of dignity flew out the door the minute he opened his mouth.
I’ll throw some $$ in on this!!
She’s so full of $hit…..Right…..we all bathe our children in high heels…..even those of us with two legs…..NOT!! ….and neither does she!
but but but she thinks she is so “sophisticated” and “put-together” Bahahahahahaha
Pathetic, a walking contradiction, hypocrite, and a major poop stirrer and basically nothing more than a cheap gossip on and off camera. And sooooooo boring just like Reid.
Madepiley……..”sophisticated”. Yup while being indiscreet. Cry baby. And have inappropriate social skills with her DIGS, and hasn’t seen the world since she doesn’t travel. And stingy just like Harry and Evan and others. LMAO. On a good day she’s a bourgeois basket case weasel. Yeah for Vivs
I just think that question that she prolly provided to the interviewer in that first place says all we need to know about lil Ms. Avivia. Surprised she was able to show enough restraint not to ask herself this one:
“Aviva, Do you ever get tired of people hating you because you are beautiful? ”
At any rate I surely hope Vivs aint watching the conspiracy videos I have posted this morning. She would crap her pants.
Compared to the Countess she is Mother of the Year
Beautiful=monkey mouth like George
Sophisticated=counterfeit handbag provider
Poor thing aviva wouldn’t know the difference between cashmere and polyester if she shut her eyes, and with her eyes wide open wouldn’t know the difference between a first class girl and a first rate whore, although her “white trash” observation on the show is pretty accurate…….one for avivapapertowel.
The monkey mouth is dead-on! Great observation. I knew something was off, but you nailed it!
By NYC standards her apartments are not well appointed. Proof of her tastelevel………no stylist?Tries so hard though. Poor paper towel
Did anyone catch the Soup last night? Joel was right on target when they made fun of Sonja and her “bloody” scene…What kind of f–d up tv is that? Need I say more?
MP: OMG! So funny! Love this guy! A-M-P-U-T Double EE… don’t feel sorry for me! PaperTowel has so many things goin’ for her… like the ‘one sock’ thang and of course, that handicapped parking spot! Betcha she let’s her PoopiePiggyDaddy use her handicapped placard! TFC!!! SH
No doubt. Lets keep a close I on her new “charity.” Avivia prolly aint gonna like videos like the one I posted above showing that not all amputee are riding the pity party train…. ya know not very profitable for her “charity” to have a country full of “children” that are doing A-ok without a body part.
Papertowel thought she was going to do the Oscar pistorius thing and endear herself to the world, and then get herself a Nike contract, even better cover girl. Hey paper towel I think that takes confidence , sincerity, and some cuteness. You look god awful, sad thing is your photogenic, in reality you look like a miserable hag with a limp. Where is the limp on the show, where’d it go? Huh vivs?
As for Ramona’s reaction to paper towels leg, she was curious, inquisitive, and COMPLIMENTARY. Of course there’d be a reaction, Ramona was not offensive………..as always poor victim mentality from aviva, like when she should have been grateful about a compliment from harry and instead turned that into something wretched. GROW up!
Bringing “dignity” – DON’T BRING A SEX PERVERT FATHER. He is the worse thing to hit RHNY – worse than Simon.
Ha! I miss Simon. George makes Simon seem classy & restrained.
She may be a good role model for missing a limb…but, she’s got more phobias than Carters has pills. She can’t go/won’t go anywhere without her husband??? That’s not a good thing to represent is it?…and why, did she have to expose her father???? Has she any idea what a fool
he looks like? I’m from NY, and believe me…she isn’t any kind of typical NY housewife. NY women are STRONG women…she….needs help. She’s afraid of everything….
She wants help, she is just afraid to get it.
Maybe she has Apotemnophobia. So she is skird all de time.
I do admire her strength in face of adversity.
BUT…..she really isn’t the brightest bulb in the chandelier. Picking allegiances with self-absorbed drunk Ramona and airhead Sonja made me lose some respect I had for her. Bad choice Aviva – those are not the sort of women who will support you, silly girl.
You can’t have any sort of dignity when you have George as a father and admit it. Period. I’d laugh at all the leg jokes, but, I don’t want to put my foot in my mouth.