Some moments in life take your breath away. Beautiful, special moments in time that are worth more than any sum of money.
Last week, I was fortunate enough to experience one of those moments.
I had another opportunity to visit the Muscular Dystrophy Association summer camp at Bradford Woods. The camp has been held there for many years. I was a camp counselor there some 33 years ago.
The camp changed my life. I had never felt so comfortable to just be me. No judgment, just understanding. I felt so free that week.
This year, I invited my older son to go with me to Firefighter Day at camp. The MDA and the firefighters have a longstanding partnership, and these men and women give so much to our MDA community through their fundraising and volunteer efforts.
Firefighter Day at camp is always a hit. Several fire trucks line up on opposite sides of the parking lot and together they create a waterfall for the kids to walk/roll through. The kids’ wheelchairs are wrapped in heavy plastic to protect them from the water. After that they are carefree.
Each time I get to go and witness this, it brings tears to my eyes. You will often hear the kids who go to camp say it is the best week of the year for them. They can connect with others who share their similar yet unique struggles and triumphs. It is truly a magical week.
No one even has to say a word – it is like time in slow motion, hearing the giggles, and seeing the smiling faces of these kids. You can just feel their sense of freedom in this moment. It is contagious joy!
I turned to my son and said, “You want to get wet?” He said, “Let’s do it!” I have seen the fire truck water fun a few times but have never gone through myself.
With my son as my legs, he put on a plastic firefighter hat, and we ran through the water while racing another kid who easily out-wheeled us. I screamed with joy, and I too felt that sense of freedom of no one judging me or looking at me differently. I was free to be me, and so was my son. A moment in time that took our breath away.
Our columnist was able to share in this special moment with her son. (Photo provided by Amy Shinneman)
I had a flashback of me at camp 33 years ago and thinking if only I could see then, my son pushing me through the water so many years later. By that point, I could have just sobbed my eyes out. I am so glad one of the MDA staff caught that moment on video for us to keep.
Life with a disability often feels unbelievably heavy. All the moving parts just to exist can be so exhausting.
Moments like that can be fuel for weeks upon end. The kids leave camp feeling accepted, free, and loved. Camp is a totally accessible place to let their guards down and breathe. There is a lot going on in those little minds. Having that reprieve is everything.
I asked my son his thoughts on our ride home. He told me that seeing the kids experience exhilarating freedom was a powerful thing for him. Living life with me, he too experiences the harsh opinions, cruelty, and judgment of others. It made him so happy to see this life-changing place he has heard me talk about his whole life.
Seeing it come to life and being able to experience the joy was a moment that took his breath away.
What a beautiful moment in time.
Until next time …
Amy Shinneman is a former National Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, disability blogger, freelance writer, wife, and mom of two boys. You can find her blog at humblycourageous.com and reach her on Instagram @ashinneman.