| Fifty teens and young adults with CP and other physical handicaps returned from the annual summer retreat for members of Ezer Mizion's Matan activity clubs - a program for teens and young adults with CP (cerebral palsy). At Matan, the participants enjoy challenging learning activities, social activities, celebrations, special events around the annual calendar, and more.
Every summer, Matan clients take part in an action-filled summer camp. The experience is a high point for the handicapped kids, and they look forward to it the entire year.
This year, the camp took place at Shavei Zion, a town near Nahariya. For four fabulous days, the boys- most of them wheelchair bound - had a fantastic time, engaging in activities and trips that would otherwise be totally beyond their reach.
The itinerary included trips to Acco and Rosh Hanikrah, a dip at the beach, a visit to an air-force base, a rocky ATV ride, swimming in a pool, and more.
Every camper was assigned an escort who accompanied them the entire time. A total of sixty people, campers and mentors, participated in the retreat.
A great deal of thought and planning was put in to make sure the campers derive maximum pleasure from the camp. For example, a tour bus specially fitted for the handicapped accompanied them throughout the trip, enabling them to sit comfortably and still enjoy the view from the windows.
Though the camp is geared for the campers, the parents also benefit immensely from this blessed hiatus from the complex round-the-clock care of a child with CP. These days enable them to gather energy to cope with the remainder of the summer vacation.
At the conclusion of the retreat, the young participants thanked the organizers profusely. "I don't think I was at the beach since I was five!" said Menachem, one of the boys. "Thanks to Matan-Ezer Mizion and my devoted attendant, I really had a dream vacation. I'm already looking forward to the next one!" |
