This particular camp is unique because it takes in kids of all kinds of disabilities, from ADD and ADHD, to Down Syndrome, and pretty much everything else in between. It will not take any child who can not get around on their own (Regan uses her walker the entire week) or who needs intensive medical care.
Last year Regan came home filled with tales of two boys that liked her, and how one asked her to the dance....then ditched her...then another guy asked her to the dance, but her friend got mad because she liked him. In Regan's world she was living the kind of life she sees on TV, or in her sister's very social world. In my mind.....I just kept obsessing over what disabilities those boys might have, and if she brought home a disabled boyfriend one day....would we be expected to help care for him too?
I know that is insane to think that way, but I just couldn't help it. I let my mind drift into all kinds of scenarios where I would be taking care of not only Regan but her entire family one day and my anxiety reached a whole new level. Finally, after my eyes had finished glazing over after all the dance details had been hashed out for the tenth time or so, I finally got brave enough to ask her.
"Honey, just what kind of disabilities to J and C have"?
"I don't know mom, it never came up".
Well that stopped me in my tracks. I don't know why I assumed that when a camp full of kids of all sorts of disabilities gets together that all they talk about is what is going on with them. I guess because that is what I would discuss with their parents....things like medications, school systems, treatment plans, other summer camps. For the kids though, it is just about camp and enjoying life. They are kids and for a week that is exactly how they are treated.
It was a good lesson for me to learn, and I needed that reminder.
Thanks Regan
4 comments:
What an awesome story. I can't imagine what it must be like to live with a child who has a disability. You seem to cope very well, and that Reagan's special needs are just no different than the special needs of anyone in your family. But I think I'd be a constant mess, wondering "What can I do to make her life better?" and, like you, "What will happen when they grow older. Will I be caring for this child AND her family as well?"
You are pretty amazing.
I bet it was pretty awesome for her! I can only imagine the smile on her face and how excited she felt to be going to camp and dealing with drama! LOL This is an amazing post!
Fantastic! I bet she had the best time and how incredible they didn't chat about each other's afflictions...a great reminder that disabled kids are kids just like any other...ones who dream of first dates and kisses too ;) Loved this post!
What an amazing story to share! It sounds like she had a wonderful time at camp (minus the dance drama)! It's so powerful when we realize how our children see things.
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