Abundant of joy at the Jordan River Village

"We haven't seen our children so happy in a long time, feeling free and in a wonderful atmosphere. We left with a heart full of an unforgettable experience," says a mother of a son diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, after hosting at 'Jordan River Village' - part of a global network of villages, which the late actor Paul Newman established, for children with special needs.

This is the third consecutive year that the 'Small Steps' Association, which supports families diagnosed with 'Duchenne-Becker', is holding a family vacation in the village. The meeting between children who are dealing with a serious illness, in a rural and well-maintained environment, led to many emotional moments. Two social workers on behalf of the association (Michal and Sharon) held separate discussion circles of fathers to children, of mothers, of sisters and brothers, and of the children during the vacation days. "It's good to know that we are not alone in the journey of the disease," was a message that was repeated in honest, painful, and exposed discussion circles, in which fears and difficulties, experiences and challenges were shared. The special atmosphere contributed to strengthening the feeling of 'togetherness' of the community.

Yinon Nizar, the vacation director at the Jordan River Village: "We constantly receive children with special needs from various frameworks, and build the activity programs according to the characteristics of the disease. Hosting families of Duchenne-Becker children especially moved us, and was different. We allowed experiences of success and enjoyment. We heard a lot of bursts of laughter, there were moments of peak in the village, and at the end of the vacation, the farewell was not easy for all of us. The families really had a hard time saying goodbye and leaving."

(Photo: Courtesy of the "Small Steps" Association)