Camp Twitch and Shout

Camp was always my favorite season. As a seasoned overnight camp camper and counselor-summer for me IS camp. When Z was diagnosed with TS I thought this part of life was just one of the things we would have to give up. Boy was I wrong. After Zl watched Front of the Class I googled Brad Cohen and stuff about Camp Twitch and Shout came up. My jaw dropped and I got giddy! Z was going to camp. Only thing- as an Orthodox Jew, how would this work? So I facebook messaged Brad and asked him, could we make this happen? He responded that I should contact the director. Hailey is a special person who to me is a superhero. She brought the magic of camp to my child. 
Sending him on a plane all by himself last summer was one of the hardest things I have had to do. I put him in the hands of people I didn't really know. He came home and said something very simple but powerful to us, "I was normal at camp." He had had a devistating year in school and my happy and full of life child was lost. Camp gave him back to me. So, the day applications came out, Z insisted I send it in. His teachers said that week was one of his best of the whole year. This year three Philadelphia area kids were going including a boy close in age to him. 
Facebook and twitter have been a real treat as this year the staff has given us a window into their week. So as the kids are fishing, boating, swimming, having OlympTics, talent shows, dances, and more we have gotten to see pictures posted soon after. I get to see the huge smilies, the action pictures of him interacting with his peers, and him just getting to be a "normal" kid. I get to see my child who I know and love being seen the way I see him by others. Something that doesn't seem to be usually. 
Camp has truely become a family. This year other moms reported back to me after they dropped their own children how he was doings- he was being outgoing, charming, and helpful!!! His bunk, Blue-1 even won cleanliest bunk twice this week! As I told his doctor,what nachas (joy).
Next summer F is supposed to go as well.  The day she got her diagnosis she didn't get upset or scared, she asked if this meant she would get to go to Camp Twitch and Shout as well!  She can't wait to go.  She has already started counting down to next summer when she will be 7 and old enough to go.  G-d willing, there will be camp- funds are short.  Z and his bunkmates are trying to raise funds.  If you can, please help them out!  http://www.gofundme.com/camptwitchandshout