Brothers Ariel, 12, and Jacob, 10, live in Boca Raton, Florida.
The boys have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic disorder of progressive muscular weakness which has no cure and keeps them largely dependent on their wheelchairs to get around. The brothers enjoy listening to the rhythms of rap music and techno beats and are self-taught artists with a unique talent for drawing cartoons. Their eclectic portfolio includes colorful sketches of characters ranging from Super Mario to Star Wars. In 2018, a prestigious art gallery in Aventura debuted their work at a special exhibition benefitting Chai Lifeline Southeast, whose services have offered vital support for Ariel and Jacob as well as their family since 2011.
During the year, Ariel and Jacob participate in their local i-Shine afterschool program and have Chai Lifeline volunteer big brothers and sisters who visit them and take them out on trips. Their Chai Lifeline case manager also arranged private lessons with an art tutor for the boys, organized birthday parties with customized cakes, and helped raise funds for the installation of a handicapped-accessible bathroom in their house. Each summer they enjoy a magical two-week experience at Camp Simcha Special, Chai Lifeline’s overnight camp for children with chronic illnesses and disabilities.
"We are so blessed to have Chai Lifeline in our lives, and they've been with us literally since the day our boys were diagnosed,” said Liat, the boys' mother in a 2018 interview. “They are always there when we need them, always trying to make it easier, making my kids happy and helping them enjoy life."
Updated February 2020.
