SMILE Mass Hosts Open House at Accessible Beach House in Wellfleet, MA

On Sunday, July 27, SMILE Mass (Small Miracles in Life Exist) welcomed about 50 guests to its Open House at the newly renovated, handicap accessible beach house located at 790 Oceanview Drive in Wellfleet, MA. The celebration marked a milestone for the organization, which purchased the property in January and has since transformed the main floor into a barrier-free vacation haven for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Guests enjoyed appetizers, beverages, tours of the home, and breathtaking views of the ocean from the back deck. In attendance were SMILE Mass supporters, board members, contractors who worked on the renovation—and their families, many seeing the finished home for the first time.

The property now features ramps, wide doorways, a roll-in shower, an adjustable bed, and a lift from the TV room to the main floor. Renters can also request a portable Hoyer lift, shower chair, Rifton bath chair, and floating beach wheelchair. The home is available year-round and offers an inclusive experience for families who previously struggled to find accessible vacation rentals.

As part of the event, SMILE Mass unveiled a prototype of its “Ocean Legacy Wall,” where donors can leave a lasting impact by purchasing a custom fish or sea creature. Available options include:

• Small Fish: $100

• Medium Fish: $150

• Large Fish: $250 (includes a personalized brick on the property)

• Sea Creatures (Dolphin, Crab, Seahorse, Fish): $500 (Only 5 more available!)

Additionally, supporters can help pave the Wellfleet Welcome Walkway—a highly visible path traveled by every guest—with a personalized brick.

“This home represents more than a vacation—it’s dignity, inclusion, and independence wrapped into one unforgettable experience,” said Lotte Diomede, SMILE Mass Co-Founder and President. “Every donation helps us ensure that families with disabilities can enjoy life’s little moments in a big way.”

Accessible transportation for the event was generously provided by Funk Bus, a SMILE Mass Annual Sponsor, who shuttled guests from the Wellfleet Elementary School due to limited parking at the property.

Heidi MacCurtain, a guest from Plymouth, MA, attended with her children Abby, age 13, and Tomas, age 14. Heidi shared her thoughts on the SMILE Mass beach get-away, “The house is cozy and an inviting home away from home with amazing views, mobility supports and accessibility that is difficult for a family to find in a rental.” Abby, lives with Leigh’s Disease, a severe and progressive neurometabolic disorder, and uses a wheelchair for mobility. After touring the home, the family shared their excitement about renting it in the months ahead.

To Leave Your Legacy:

➡ To Purchase a Fish or Sea Creature for the Ocean Wall
➡ Pave the Wellfleet Welcome Walkway with a Brick
Support the future of inclusive vacations by purchasing your personalized brick today!

Together, we can create small miracles in life—one memory, one family, one donation at a time.