For Christopher, camp is a place where he finds freedom.
Christopher’s all-time favourite camp memory is performing to Lady Gaga during the Talent Show with his best friend Emily. A long-time Easter Seals camper, Christopher has been attending Camp Woodeden near London, Ontario, for 14 years. For Christopher, camp is a place where he finds freedom.
“At camp, Christopher can be away from his family, and he has the ability to be himself,” Christopher’s mom, Ritu, shares. “He has the opportunity to be around other kids and friends who are like him and not feel like he is different. It’s the community.”
It took some time for Christopher, who is now 28 years old, to fully warm up to camp. For the first few years, it was difficult for Christopher to make it through drop-off day without tearing up as he said goodbye to Ritu and his twin sister. But eventually, Christopher was able to relax and understand that he was safe. “Now I get, ‘You can leave mom, I can unpack my suitcase with my counsellor,’” Ritu says while smiling.
“At camp, Christopher can be away from his family, and he has the ability to be himself.”
Christopher and his twin sister were born early at just 28 weeks. While his sister was further along in the gestational process, Christopher was born without lungs and ended up with a diagnosis of spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. “I was told he’ll never talk, he’ll never eat, he’ll never walk, and he will never understand anything,” Ritu explains.
But Ritu never gave up hope. She spent years working with Christopher and traveling around the world to learn about potential treatments and procedures. And today, “Christopher can use a fork. He can use a sippy cup. He understands everything, he is able to form questions, and he is curious. He’s pretty funny actually,” Ritu shares.
Christopher even has a part-time job. He spends an hour each day assisting Ritu in her work as a real estate agent. When people ask if Christopher has a hard time, Ritu will explain that he doesn’t know any better. Christopher embraces life the only way he knows how, and “he’s a very happy kid,” Ritu says.
Your support will help ensure more campers like Christopher have the opportunity to attend a fully accessible Easter Seals camp.
Easter Seals camp has played a role in helping to develop Christopher’s independence. “As a parent, sometimes you have to pull back,” Ritu explains. “I would notice every time he came back from camp, there was a little more understanding in him. He wanted to share his stories from camp, he wanted to someone to listen – and we did! He told everybody around him about camp. So for him, it was a sense of independence. And I feel like he matured every single time he came back from camp.”
When talking about camp, Christopher explains that his favourite activity is swimming. He also loves the flagpole activities and eating deliciously gooey s’mores next to the campfire. But above all, it’s the support he receives from both the counsellors and the campers that means the most to him. “That’s the big thing – everyone that’s a part of it is so supportive,” Ritu adds.
“You just can’t compare Easter Seals camp with a regular camp. The accessibility is huge.”
What distinguishes Easter Seals from other camps is the dedication to accessibility and inclusion, which is found at the core of every element of our facilities and programming. “You just can’t compare Easter Seals camp with a regular camp. The accessibility is huge,” Ritu explains. When Christopher has attended other camps in the past that try to accommodate his needs within their programming, Ritu describes the experience as trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. “These kids need to feel safe; they need to feel like they can be who they really are. You need to give them the tools they need.” And that is what Christopher has been able to find at Easter Seals camp for 14 years – a place to feel safe, to be free.
It is only through the support of Easter Seals donors that we are able to create the nurturing an inclusive environment where Easter Seals campers can thrive, find their independence, and make cherished memories. Christopher’s story of transformation and resilience serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact your support has on the lives of individuals with physical disabilities. Together, we can ensure more campers like Christopher have the opportunity to discover their strengths, build lasting friendships, and embark on a journey of self-discovery. Thank you for being a pivotal part of this life-changing experience.