Spring, 2005

I Had  A Dream

Carol Beck

I sat, as I often did, watching the neighborhood children playing with their friends in the new fallen snow.  How I hurt for my son, Alan,  to have friends and         playmates.  I often witnessed other kids grow emotionally and socially through their sports, community and social involvement.

Each week, it seemed the other kids had a new fun-packed week of planned sleep-overs, parties,       soccer, and dance lessons.  Their families gathered for get-togethers where the children played games and deepened the bonds of friendship.

 Our family seemed to be on the  outside looking in.  No one came to play or spend the night; no      snow-clad boys arrived, excited to share the hill with my son.  There was no need for phone rules       because Alan received no calls.  No need for an evening curfew since he never went out without a care    provider or us.  So I watched in  silent heartbreak, as only a parent can, as life and companionship passed Alan by.

 It seemed so unfair! Those of us who know Alan see a complete person, warts and all. A young man with all the same wants and desires as other boys his age. He loves   motorcycles, seashells,   camping, and football. Not too many blonde girls pass by his eye unnoticed   either.   He is caring and compassionate with a blaring sense of humor.  If others could have the chance to know him then, they too, would see him as we do. Not only was our son missing out on his childhood, but many other teenagers with developmental    disabilities were lonely too. Kids like Alan often lack the vocabulary or the ability to express their     emotional pain of segregation that we as parents feel piercing our hearts almost daily.

When we took in Joel, a foster child with autism, our sadness   increased as we noted that Joel, too, was without friends.  His talents and personality were shared only with a few of us who knew him through family and foster care.  Joel is a young man with the voice of an angel when he sings.  He has a love for rock and roll music, but has no peers to share his talent and appreciation for music.

It has been said if you see a need and work toward filling it, you can’t help but be successful.  It was this voice, which prompted an idea and action which lead to what was to become the first Summer Camp of The Arc of Grays Harbor in 2002.  It began with an idea, and through the encouragement and financial backing of The Arc of Grays Harbor, it’s members, and the support of the county, we were able to start a summer camp for local teens and young adults with physical and/or developmental disabilities.

In it’s  fourth year, it has grown in popularity so that this The Arc of Grays Harbor is offering an inclusive monthly activity     program called  “Arc’n Round the Community.” The activities will     involve more than entertainment for its participants.

Twice a year we give back to our community with the “From our Hearts to Yours” projects.  In     February we baked and decorated dozens of cookies to distribute to the local senior centers and to the homes of senior citizens.  The other project involves the cleaning and beautifying of a local park.

During July and the first week of August, “Arc’n Round” holds a three-day-a-week activity program.  It has four fun-packed, theme-based weeks of age-appropriate field trips, entertainment, crafts and   cultural / educational activities.  These activities offer the opportunity for the local townships, businesses and community members to see our kids as people first with all the attributes of any other person.  They will experience their creativity, sense of humor, social skills, compassion and acceptance that we can all learn from.  In return, these young adults have a chance at typical life experiences and a sense of       belonging, as a part of the world, and not just as observers.  What a wonderful way to allow the community to  witness the similarities and not the differences.

We’ve all grown and learned a lot since that first idea emerged, but the experiences and friendships gained from these activities will last a lifetime.

Our next activity is the SPRING SPLASH to be held at the YMCA on Saturday, April 30th, 2005.  There is swimming, a social hour, board games, bingo, and snacks.  This is a special event in conjunction with the Parent2Parent program.  All age groups are welcome!  Come see what we are all about!

If you are interested in volunteering or know someone who may benefit from attending the Arc’n Round the Community Program, please call The ArcGH office at  537-7000 or 1-866-537-7272.