Wheels of Life
Wheels
of Life
The strength to keep moving
Vision and Mission Statement
We at "Wheels of Life" (Galgaley HaChayim) believe that disability is not the end of life, but a change.Our mission is to accompany, support, and empower individuals whose lives have changed due to a disability from birth, accident, illness, or war injury.
"In every soul there are wings -
and we enable them to fly."
Central Programs of the Association
The core focus is treating the injured from "Swords of Iron" (Milhemet Harbot Barzel)—the most severely wounded in body and soul, with an emphasis on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Driven by a profound sense of duty toward IDF soldiers wounded in body and soul during the "Swords of Iron" war, the association decided to focus its experience and expertise in the field of severe disabilities on their behalf. The flagship project is organizing and leading dream-like, rehabilitative, customized, and accessible vacations for the most severely wounded and their families in the Swiss Alps.
These vacations require a dedicated system of close personal accompaniment, made possible through professional volunteers. This program is part of the central plan for the coming years, which emphasizes treatment through a complete journey—an accessible and tailored family trip abroad. The journey, which takes place in the Alps, includes accessible attractions and meticulous care for every detail: an accessible holiday home, adapted transportation, and a system of personal accompaniment.
This trip, planned with accessibility and sensitivity, restores moments of happiness, joy, and family togetherness for the entire family after the traumatic period, and significantly impacts the rehabilitation of the whole family unit. The "Wheels of Life" association offers the families of those with PTSD and physical injuries a formative journey aimed at proving that life has not stopped, and that "you can take flight if you only wish to."
From Personal Wound to a Way of Life of Giving
The association was founded by Baruch Fisheheimer (born 1966), a married father of four children, one of whom is a foster child at risk who has grown up in his home since she was 14, and who himself has experienced Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to his military service. His turning point came during an accessible trip to Europe, where he was caring for a severely disabled person. He discovered that the healing for his soul came precisely through helping others, giving, and boundless love. This principle—of giving out of pure love and the belief that we all deserve a good life—guides all of the association's activities.
Three Decades of Giving and Fellowship
For 30 years, Baruch has dedicated his life to volunteering for the severely and lonely disabled, with the assistance of hundreds of volunteers.
Key Initiatives to Date
Adapted International Tours
Organizing accessible trips worldwid
Accessible Tours in Israel
Producing fun days and adapted tours at nature and heritage sites
Holiday Tradition
Shared hotel getaways for lonely disabled individuals to create a warm framework
Community Connection
Celebrating shared events on the Hebrew calendar
Founding of the "Wheels of Life" Association
In 2017, after many years of volunteer work, Baruch, together with his family, decided to institutionalize the activity and establish the "Wheels of Life" association in memory of their father, Avraham Fishheimer.
The association was founded to take the assistance offered to the disabled to the next level ("raise another floor") and to expand activities into additional and diverse areas.
Connecting to the Community
We invite the community to take part and participate with us in special events held on various dates throughout the Hebrew calendar. These events include Lag BaOmer, Independence Day, and others, and serve as a platform for shared encounters and acquaintance between the community and the group of people with disabilities. The added value of this activity generates a benefit for both sides, where the community gets to know this group up close, and they, in turn, get to be an equal part of the community.
Hosting During Israeli Holidays
Shared holidays for IDF wounded and people with disabilities; as part of this activity, we offer a warm and supportive family alternative, ensuring that they do not remain alone during the Israeli holidays.
Accessible Tours and Attractions in Israel
This program has been running for many years: tours across Israel combined with accessible attractions and adapted content, aiming to enable every participant to enjoy an experience just like anyone else. These trips have added value, deepening the acquaintance with and love for the Land of Israel and generating a feeling of pride and belonging to the people of Israel.
These activities and many others are planned by the association with the aim of continuing to drive the "Wheels of Life" forward, thanks to your generous help.
We invite you to be a part of our initiative to rehabilitate the wounded IDF soldiers and their families.
Wheels of Life: Determination at the Rhine Falls
A Solution for One, a Solution for All
During a trip organized by the House of Wheels association for children with disabilities, we encountered a challenge: a child with a severe disability who used an extra-large wheelchair could not board the tourist boats at the Rhine Falls because the access required a small manual chair. The staff of Beit HaGalgalim intended to skip the cruise, but Baruch Fishheimer refused to give up.
He flew two pairs of ramps with him to the destination abroad.
On the last day of the trip, he convinced the boat operator to allow him a pioneering attempt. The ramps were deployed, and the entire group, including the child with the large wheelchair, successfully boarded.
The boat operator was so moved that he adopted the idea permanently: he purchased identical ramps, and since then, every person with a disability in the world can enjoy the cruise at the Rhine Falls in their own chair.
For "Wheels of Life," this was a small-big victory for accessibility and the human spirit!
At "Wheels of Life," we open a horizon of new hope, bring back the smile and color to their faces, and give them and their families the strength to keep moving forward.
