Once a week, ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran welcomes Omer and Ziv, teachers from IMAGINE, an organization that aims to promote inclusion and accessibility in music education, to the village’s High Dependency Wing, where they undertake to empower and advance residents through music and song.

Making their way through the wing, Omer and Ziv meet infants with genetic syndromes and developmental delays as well as children and young adults with acquired injuries or intellectual developmental disabilities. With a variety of musical instruments, iPads and fascinating technological solutions, the pair make music accessible to all residents, including those with the minimal physical-function ability.

It is heartwarming to see infants, children and adults smiling, relaxing and enjoying songs and music. Music – the language that connects all people regardless of physical or cognitive ability –makes it possible for each person to express himself, enjoy and relax.

“When Omer and I, teachers at IMAGINE, first came to ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran,” proclaims Ziv, “we couldn’t understand how such a wonderful, green place, full of smiling, relaxed people, could be a hospital and rehabilitative center. We never before encountered caregiving centers such as this and we felt ourselves to be in utopia. After we got to know the caregiving staff, we understood how special this place is, how it is filled with people driven by internal motivation and love. For that reason, we fit in quickly. We are grateful for the moment we came here.”

Our thanks to the SASA Setton Kav Or Foundation for enabling this special activity.