BY GINNY PRIVITAR
HEWITT — Starting in June, the North East Therapeutic Boating Organization (NETBO) will offer free boat rides to disabled persons. The boat will depart from the Greenwood Lake Marina behind Fox Island Creamery.
Helping othersThis service is the creation of Rebecca Dykstra, the ice cream maker of Fox Island Creamery, but it is an entirely separate entity.
Dykstra herself suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2014. She was studying abroad and had joined a girls' rugby team. The team had little safety equipment and she took a severe hit to the head during a game, causing the injury. She still suffers some lingering effects including anxiety and depression.
"I remembered how much boating meant to me and how happy it made me feel and the quality of life it gave me," Dykstra said, "I started and eventually I could handle a lot more and then I just wanted to put my skills together. I'm good at driving boats."
Dykstra also got a yellow lab she named Ella, trained her to be a therapy dog and brought her to a few schools.
"It made me realize I like helping people," she said.
Doing what she lovesOver the years since her injury, Dykstra has been able to reclaim her life and get back into doing what she loves.
"I thought of how boating helped me with depression, stress and anxiety and how it helped me get back who I was," Dykstra said.
She wanted the same for others.
Dykstra's friend, Kaylin Aditya, is a vice president of NETBO and will be first mate. The two women have been friends since high school.
"Kaylin helped get the organization off the ground and has been there throughout the process," Dykstra said.
Making days goodDykstra will captain the boat and they'll be taking people with special needs out on Greenwood Lake twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. for approximately two to three hours per trip. The boat holds 10 people; eight guests with disabilities, two of their caretaker staff, plus the crew. They will be accompanied by Dykstra's therapy dog, Ella.
The trips are free. Dykstra has been reaching out to the community - to schools and organizations with programs for special needs adults. The boat rides start the first Tuesday in June and run through September.
Dykstra expects to have open enrollment once a month. If demand exists, they may add additional rides.
The boat is a 22-foot long pontoon boat, with a ramp that lowers and a runway wide enough for wheelchairs. It is also equipped with wheelchair locks.
"People will enjoy it," Dykstra said. "It's for people who don't necessarily have (all) good days to have a good day."
For more information about the North East Therapeutic Boating Organization, go to netbo.org, email info.netbo@gmail.com or call 973-618-6987.
Greenwood Lake Marina is located at 538 Lakeside Road in Hewitt.