The kind of fun day out that many of us take for granted, marked a groundbreaking milestone for 36 people with intellectual and physical disabilities from SHEKEL’s day center in Petach Tikva. Sailing from the Herzliya Marina with their parents and SHEKEL staff, they enjoyed an exhilarating boat trip at sea for the very first time in their lives.

"To be an integral part of society is about experiencing the same kind of exciting experiences as everyone else, like a fun adventurous day out with family and friends", explained Dror Teitelbaum, Director of SHEKEL Petach Tikva, a branch of SHEKEL – Inclusion for People with Disabilities, Israel's leading organization for integrating people with disabilities into the general community.  Straight after the boating trip, the entire group, more than half of which are wheelchair users, traveled to a great "happening" at Park Ra'anana. "We overcame all the obstacles that generally get in the way of implementing a full-day outing like this", said Netanel Levine, who heads the SHEKEL day center for people with severe disabilities in Petach Tikva. "We adapted all the necessary equipment needed for treatment and daily care to outside conditions and brought everything with us, without making a big deal. It took a little creativity and thinking ahead, but it was well worth it – it was an incredible day"

Special thanks to Holiday Sailing owner, Yitzik Mashash, for generously donating the boating trip.