Kliewer and Shor

There is such a stigma against people with mental disabilities. While we have made some progression recently we still have a long way to go. One of the main reasons for the problems is the ignorance of people. I remember in elementary school there was a special class where kids would go if they had any mental or physical deficiencies. All I knew about them is that they were different and for some reason, they had to be separate. We weren't really taught about them and almost never mingled. Trying to think back I don't even remember the specifics about the group. There wasn't much interaction or time for questions like that.

When I got to camp and started learning I encountered a program called Faithful Friends. Faithful friends was a week-long program for adults with mental disabilities. It gave them the chance to get out of whatever homes they were living in, whether with family or not, and come to New Hampshire to experience camp.

This was really the first time I had any interaction with people with stronger mental disabilities. I myself have depression and strong anxiety but I never thought of it as a disability. Just something to deal with. Many of the people who come to this program have come year after year. You get to know them just like other campers. It's so amazing to come back and see them doing well. This group is extremely lucky to have a program like this, especially as adults. Not all get the chance to do something like this, to be a part of a different community. This little camp is only a week long and then they go home, but I'm sure that it makes a difference for them. It also makes a difference for the counselors who work it. All of them said they loved the program and would probably work it again.
Perspective makes a difference.