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"This feeling of having ability is a real rebirth": cancer survivors' experiences in the desert journey rehabilitation program.

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Title: "This feeling of having ability is a real rebirth": cancer survivors' experiences in the desert journey rehabilitation program.
Authors: Levkovich, I. (AUTHOR), Hamama-Raz, Y. (AUTHOR), Kuperman, S. (AUTHOR), Bar-Doron, M. (AUTHOR), Hamama, L. (AUTHOR)
Source: Disability & Rehabilitation. May2026, Vol. 48 Issue 9, p2801-2813. 13p.
Subjects: Cancer survivors, Nonprofit organizations, Fear, Psychological resilience, Nature, Qualitative research, Self-efficacy, Interviewing, Content analysis, Judgment sampling, Emotions, Self-compassion, Experience, Sound recordings, Thematic analysis, Research methodology, Convalescence, Phenomenology, Data analysis software, Social support, Cancer patient rehabilitation, Psychological vulnerability
Geographic Terms: Israel
Abstract: Purpose: We explored the lived experiences of young cancer survivors who participated in Desert Journey, a nature-based rehabilitation program developed by the Israeli nonprofit organization Stop Cancer (Halasartan). The program aims to support recovery following cancer treatment completion. Methods: Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 participants (aged 29–46) who completed the program within the past two years. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by using thematic content. Results: Three central themes emerged: (1) "Afraid I wasn't ready, physically or emotionally" – participants described fears of physical vulnerability, emotional overwhelm, and doubts about belonging; (2) "The body that had broken down walked with me again" – the trek enabled participants to reconnect with their bodies, fostering resilience, self-compassion, and mutual support; (3) "I wasn't sick, recovering, or fighting... just fully myself" – the desert environment offered a space for self-reflection, identity reconstruction, and emotional healing. Conclusion: Desert Journey offers a structured rehabilitative experience that addresses the physical, emotional, and existential needs of young cancer survivors. Through nature-based activity, peer support, and guided reflection, the program supports holistic recovery and identity rebuilding, highlighting the value of integrative approaches beyond traditional clinical care. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Nature-based rehabilitation programs such as Desert Journey offer young cancer survivors a unique setting to process emotional, physical, and identity-related challenges following treatment. Group treks in natural environments can foster a reconnection with the body, peer support, and self-efficacy, thereby contributing to post-treatment resilience and psychological recovery. Integrating experiential, outdoor, and peer-supported interventions into survivorship care may enhance rehabilitation outcomes and address the gaps in long-term psychosocial support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Disability & Rehabilitation is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: "This feeling of having ability is a real rebirth": cancer survivors' experiences in the desert journey rehabilitation program.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Levkovich%2C+I%2E%22">Levkovich, I.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hamama-Raz%2C+Y%2E%22">Hamama-Raz, Y.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kuperman%2C+S%2E%22">Kuperman, S.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bar-Doron%2C+M%2E%22">Bar-Doron, M.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hamama%2C+L%2E%22">Hamama, L.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Disability+%26+Rehabilitation%22">Disability & Rehabilitation</searchLink>. May2026, Vol. 48 Issue 9, p2801-2813. 13p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cancer+survivors%22">Cancer survivors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Nonprofit+organizations%22">Nonprofit organizations</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fear%22">Fear</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychological+resilience%22">Psychological resilience</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Nature%22">Nature</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Qualitative+research%22">Qualitative research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self-efficacy%22">Self-efficacy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interviewing%22">Interviewing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Content+analysis%22">Content analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Judgment+sampling%22">Judgment sampling</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Emotions%22">Emotions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self-compassion%22">Self-compassion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Experience%22">Experience</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sound+recordings%22">Sound recordings</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thematic+analysis%22">Thematic analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+methodology%22">Research methodology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Convalescence%22">Convalescence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Phenomenology%22">Phenomenology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Data+analysis+software%22">Data analysis software</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+support%22">Social support</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cancer+patient+rehabilitation%22">Cancer patient rehabilitation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychological+vulnerability%22">Psychological vulnerability</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Israel%22">Israel</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: We explored the lived experiences of young cancer survivors who participated in Desert Journey, a nature-based rehabilitation program developed by the Israeli nonprofit organization Stop Cancer (Halasartan). The program aims to support recovery following cancer treatment completion. Methods: Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 participants (aged 29–46) who completed the program within the past two years. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by using thematic content. Results: Three central themes emerged: (1) "Afraid I wasn't ready, physically or emotionally" – participants described fears of physical vulnerability, emotional overwhelm, and doubts about belonging; (2) "The body that had broken down walked with me again" – the trek enabled participants to reconnect with their bodies, fostering resilience, self-compassion, and mutual support; (3) "I wasn't sick, recovering, or fighting... just fully myself" – the desert environment offered a space for self-reflection, identity reconstruction, and emotional healing. Conclusion: Desert Journey offers a structured rehabilitative experience that addresses the physical, emotional, and existential needs of young cancer survivors. Through nature-based activity, peer support, and guided reflection, the program supports holistic recovery and identity rebuilding, highlighting the value of integrative approaches beyond traditional clinical care. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Nature-based rehabilitation programs such as Desert Journey offer young cancer survivors a unique setting to process emotional, physical, and identity-related challenges following treatment. Group treks in natural environments can foster a reconnection with the body, peer support, and self-efficacy, thereby contributing to post-treatment resilience and psychological recovery. Integrating experiential, outdoor, and peer-supported interventions into survivorship care may enhance rehabilitation outcomes and address the gaps in long-term psychosocial support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Disability & Rehabilitation is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=193467989
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2583731
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 13
        StartPage: 2801
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Cancer survivors
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Nonprofit organizations
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Fear
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychological resilience
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Nature
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      – SubjectFull: Qualitative research
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      – SubjectFull: Self-efficacy
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      – SubjectFull: Interviewing
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      – SubjectFull: Content analysis
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      – SubjectFull: Judgment sampling
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      – SubjectFull: Emotions
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      – SubjectFull: Self-compassion
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      – SubjectFull: Experience
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      – SubjectFull: Sound recordings
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      – SubjectFull: Research methodology
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      – SubjectFull: Convalescence
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      – SubjectFull: Cancer patient rehabilitation
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      – SubjectFull: Psychological vulnerability
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      – SubjectFull: Israel
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      – TitleFull: "This feeling of having ability is a real rebirth": cancer survivors' experiences in the desert journey rehabilitation program.
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              Text: May2026
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              Y: 2026
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