“For one week, she just feels like everybody else. And that’s a great feeling,” Kim, Lauren’s mother, shares about her daughter’s experience at Easter Seals camp.
“For one week, she just feels like everybody else. And that’s a great feeling,” Kim, Lauren’s mother, shares about her daughter’s experience at Easter Seals camp.
Lauren, who just turned 18 years old, has cerebral palsy and relies on a wheelchair to get around. Like most kids with physical disabilities, she has gotten used to sitting out when activities aren’t accessible. But at Easter Seals’ fully accessible camp, there isn’t anything Lauren can’t do!
“She loves just hanging out with all of the kids, especially at night when they all get together in a circle for the campfire.”
Anyone who visits Easter Seals Camp Woodeden near London, Ontario is greeted by one of North America’s largest accessible high-ropes courses. A longtime Woodeden camper, Lauren has bravely travelled 75′ up in the air to complete the course on multiple occasions. “She just seems to have more of a proud feeling when she comes home, and so much more independence. I really see a boost of confidence in her spirit,” Kim explains.
Besides the high ropes course, Lauren’s favourite part about camp is meeting new campers and reconnecting with old camp friends she has known for years. “She loves just hanging out with all of the kids, especially at night when they all get together in a circle for the campfire,” Kim shares.
When Lauren isn’t at Easter Seals camp, she spends a lot of time playing on her tablet. “She loves to be around people and socializing. She loves to try to help out people… But now that she is turning 18 she is kind of aging out of everything,” Kim explains. “The best thing about camp is that she gets rid of her tablet for the week. And honestly, I don’t think she misses it!”
Your support will help ensure more kids like Lauren have the opportunity to attend a fully accessible Easter Seals camp.
Kim is grateful for the support of Easter Seals donors that has allowed Lauren to continue to attend camp, “I’ve had two kidney transplants and a number of health issues, so I am unable to work. The fact that the cost is subsidized is amazing, because it means Lauren has been able to go to camp every year,” she explains.
Kim also spoke about the respite she experiences when Lauren is at camp, expressing “when you have a child with a disability, you’re on 24/7. When you’re missing that, you feel a bit lost. But it is amazing because I know she is in good hands… My husband and I have been married for 20 years, so that week for us to be together, it means everything.”
“She just seems to have more of a proud feeling when she comes home, and so much more independence. I really see a boost of confidence in her spirit.”
For any parent, feeling confident that your child is cared for is an immense relief and source of comfort. “Everything at Easter Seals camp is over and above,” Kim continues. “The leaders are so passionate and so lovely. You can tell they want to be there.”
For any future campers who might be interested in checking out Easter Seals camp, Lauren has some words of advice: “Don’t be scared, it’s the best experience ever!”
To all of the dedicated Easter Seals donors who help make camp possible for Lauren and the hundreds of other kids who attend our camps each year, thank you for your incredible support. Giving a child with a disability the chance to experience Easter Seals camps is giving a gift that truly touches the hearts of their entire family.