Summer fun? Count me in! “I can do it too!” has been my motto. Disabilities should not be defining factors in and of themselves. If everyone else can enjoy their summers, so can you. Take your disability, and “run” with it! 😁

Read on and enjoy your summer…

Dear Readers,

The summer of 1991 was the first of my eight amazing years as a camper, and then staff member, in Camp Sternberg. My summers in Camp Sternberg bring back memories of happiness and fun, memories that I cherish until today even decades later.

What was I, a girl who was born with Spina Bifida and who eventually lost her sight, doing in Camp Sternberg? Having the time of my life like every other girl.

My physical challenges made for a rickety rollercoaster academic ride in school. My school experience was challenging both academically and socially.

Going off to camp after a year of struggling in school was something that I looked forward to very much. For those two months, I felt like I truly belonged, like I was able to do what everyone else was doing. It might have been at my own pace, but the outcome was the same and I felt incredible.

Those summers created friendships; some that become lifelong. I met amazing people, and discovered talents that I never had previous opportunity to explore. I felt free to be me and not worry about the things I wasn’t good at. Instead of feeling less than, I felt equal to my peers. Rafting down the Delaware was a highlight of those summers, and no experience could rival riding roller coasters in Dorney Park. 

My summer in Camp Heller in 1994 surely beat all the rest. Camp without sports? Count me in. No longer did I have to be excluded or on the sidelines, because there were no sports activities in Camp Heller! I was just like everyone else.

My summer experiences showed me just how fantastic and important camp can be for children with disabilities. Where else would you find children with Spina Bifida having the time of their lives doing basket weaving or decoupage alongside their peers? Is it even possible to imagine a girl with a dual diagnosis learning how to swim? That’s the magic of summer and camp. Anything can happen, and in camp it does.

With devoted staff doting on their campers, dreams become reality.

This was my reality – a carefree summer where I was able to be me – and this can be your reality too. These days, there are so many organizations that support those with disabilities, with so many options for fun and recreation.

Summer is coming; it’s your chance to shine! With no need to worry about homework and tests, you can forget about reading comprehension and math, and just enjoy your time.

Whether you go to sleepaway camp or not, you can use the opportunity of summer to find ways to discover and focus on your strengths. Because we all have strengths, we just need to let them emerge.

Wishing you all a summer full of new opportunities where you can sit back, relax and just be you!

Gitty