Today, Nathan spent his first day at day camp. They played games and took a field trip on the city bus to the gymnastics gym. He tells me he liked it and that he wants to go back tomorrow. Pretty ordinary stuff for a 10 year old in the summer.
Except, it's not. It's not ordinary at all for a camp to accept a 10 year old with significant disabilities who isn't yet continent or fully independent with using the restroom or putting on his own swim suit. And they didn't just just accept him into their program; they have worked hard to provide him with the help he needs to be successfully included in this ordinary kid-in-the-summer experience. They interviewed me beforehand about his needs and we talked about potential concerns. They provided an aide, and also a more experienced staff member who could support the aide with strategies as needed. And they didn't call me once during the 7 hour day.
I did some work, too. In the months leading up to this week, I took him on the city bus weekly, getting him from unwilling to get on to walking in easily, in preparation for the field trips.
And, we will see how the rest of the week goes, but Day 1 has been a success. And he liked it. If this week goes well, after 5 weeks of summer school he will return to finish out the summer.
