Guest Blog

June 30th is the awareness day for my disability, Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. We celebrate by posting pictures on social media wearing blue, shoving pies in people’s faces, and basically talking about it all month long. In the spirit of this, my blog last year during June gave facts about my disability. But I feel that this year, a different kind of awareness-spreading is in order.

Since we aren’t having Camp this summer, I’m going to tell you what my top five favorite programs/activities are. My top favorite would probably have to be tubing. I’ve always loved tubing. I love having the water splash on my face and just having the thrill of excitement while riding in the inner tube.

There’s nothing to fear at Camp ASCCA. Even if you have a particular phobia, many fun activities will likely help you overcome it. Camp ASCCA has been adapted for everyone, so don’t be afraid to try something that may scare you at first.

Hello, my name is Katie Farley. I have cerebral palsy. I cannot walk or do things like write, ride a bike, swim on my own, etc., but I choose to not let those things get me down. I look at it as I’m unique and not in a bad way in a good way. There are a lot of things I can do like talk, hear, read, learn things like how to do simple math problems, things like that. In high school, I went to Spain Park High School. I wasn’t in regular classes. I was in what you call an inclusive classroom.

When someone meets me for the first time, it’s obvious to them that I have a disability. My curved arms and electric wheelchair are pretty conspicuous, and save me the trouble of figuring out the time to informally disclose my Arthrogryposis. But my disability affects me in another way that isn’t visible, and sometimes that makes this condition harder to accept and understand.

What is your unique trait? Having a unique trait is an amazing thing to experience. It can be scary sometimes though, depending on your condition. Later in life, once you get used to having a unique trait and learn more about it, it may not be a big deal. There are many ways to describe and treat unique traits because we are all different in special ways.

From Whoville to Candyland, cabin life is fun and games.

When you arrive at Camp ASCCA, you are given your assigned cabin by counselors who greet you in the parking lot with a lanyard to wear that has your name and the names of your counselor and cabin on it. After signing in, you meet your counselor, who takes your bags to your cabin and places them under the bed picked out for you. Your counselor will ask which sheets they have that you would like for your bed and then makes your bed for you. The rest of the first day you can acclimate to cabin life and start to get to know your bunkmates.

I remember the first time I went to ASCCA. It was about 5/6 years ago. I remember after I got dropped off, I was scared. It was my first time ever being away from my parents at a sleep away camp. I was scared and nervous because I didn’t know what I was going to expect. I was nervous at first but by mid-Monday or that mid-Tuesday all my nervousness just magically went away. The nervousness turned into joy and happiness. It didn’t take me long at all to realize that ASCCA could be a second home for me. I immediately started making these really amazing friendships with all these wonderful people and most of the people I met then I’m still friends with today.

Are you looking forward to Camp ASCCA this summer? Do you want to know a little more about the unique outdoor activities you’ll get to try?

February is a very feel-good month; we get to show our love, eat chocolate, and celebrate black history. It can also feel a bit lonely when you’re single, but for the first time ever, I dont have that to worry about. I’ve been dating Carson for over seven months now, and I have to say I highly recommend this whole “being in love” thing.

Since Camp ASCCA is a summer camp, you would naturally assume all outdoor activities, but you would be half right and half wrong. The whole week is packed with both indoor and outdoor fun. The best indoor activities can be found in the BCK4T and the Wii Room.