Yossi Kat
In a world where you often find physically impaired individuals wrestling with the belief that they can't savor the joy of physical freedom in the great outdoors, Yossi Kat stands as your beacon of hope and transformation. His life's purpose revolves around one profound goal: to bestow upon you the priceless gift of outdoor cycling, allowing you to revel in the simple pleasure of feeling "just like everyone else."
Twenty-five years ago, Yossi embarked on a life-altering journey, triggered by an encounter that would forever change your life. He met a brave 6-year-old child grappling with cerebral palsy, burdened by the heart-wrenching frustration of being unable to ride a bike. With nothing more than his rollerblades and the unwavering support of the child's courageous mother, Yossi set out to shatter this seemingly insurmountable barrier. What unfolded in the next few minutes felt nothing short of miraculous. Within mere moments, you were cycling with newfound confidence, a radiant smile lighting up your face. What's more, over the ensuing months, your motor skills improved exponentially, defying all expectations.
Since that transformative moment, Yossi has had the privilege of imparting the joy of cycling to over 25,000 individuals with diverse physical capabilities, including you. His students include those who are blind, living with autism, paraplegics, hemiplegics, individuals with Down syndrome, deafness, and even soldiers grappling with PTSD. The only prerequisite for learning under Yossi's guidance is the ability to walk without assistance. The results have been nothing short of remarkable, both mentally and physically, with students experiencing immediate transformations.
A groundbreaking study conducted by Professor Matti Mintz of Tel-Aviv University's Department of Psychology unveiled a direct link between reduced anxiety and improved physical balance achieved through bicycle riding at Yossi's school. Medical professionals began referring you and others to Yossi's program as a form of rehabilitation and ongoing physical and mental exercise.
In light of these extraordinary outcomes, Yossi crafted a methodology he aptly named "SPACE" (Smile, Protect, Adjust, Care, Encourage) and trained 15 mentors in Israel to teach bicycle riding to both physically capable and impaired individuals.
Emboldened by his success, Yossi's vision now extends globally, with you at the forefront. His aim is to integrate cycling into your daily life, with a focus on involving your family and caregivers. To achieve this ambitious goal, Yossi envisions training young and passionate individuals, such as university students, to learn and subsequently teach his methodology.
Following a successful visit to the Netherlands in February, amid the initial outbreak of the pandemic, Yossi realized that the path to fulfilling his vision, aptly named "AnyOneCanRide," hinges on pioneering unique technological advancements, designed to cater to your unique needs. Specifically, he envisions the development of a specialized helmet tailored to your requirements and those of other physically impaired individuals, including the blind, those with autism, and individuals with epilepsy.
With unwavering determination, Yossi has initiated a proof of concept for a "smart Device - Steady." This innovative device will be equipped with a suite of sensors and seamlessly linked to a user-friendly smartphone app. Its primary function will be to ensure that you consistently maintain a forward-looking head posture to establish and sustain stability throughout your cycling journey. Studies and Yossi's own experiences underscore the profound connection between stability and head position. Moreover, the device will incorporate technology to detect impending epileptic episodes, alerting instructors or caregivers to take swift action and prevent potential harm. Lastly, it will automatically trigger a 911 emergency call via the app should you experience a fall.
Your journey with Yossi Kat is a testament to the transformative power of innovation, compassion, and unwavering dedication. He envisions a world where your physical limitations are eclipsed by the freedom and exhilaration of cycling, and he is tirelessly working to turn this vision into your reality, one pedal at a time.