Dear Wonderful Camp Simcha Special Boys Staff,
I am taking some time to pen this letter to express my deep appreciation to you. We’ve just finished the Camp Simcha Special Boys Queens Shabbaton. Being that we live in Queens, I thought it would be an interesting experience, having Kovy enjoy it while staying at home. Yes, of course Kovy had a great time, seeing all his friends from camp (both campers and staff), and getting a healthy dose of the ruach [spirit] and simcha that permeates every second of these experiences; yet for us, this time, it was so much more.
Being part of the Queens community meant that we got to attend theoneg and melave malka. At the melave malka, many people came to show support, gain inspiration, and be a part of the excitement. My other sons, age almost 11 and 4 1/2, are growing up with a very keen awareness of abilities and disabilities, and the sensitivity and maturity that comes along with having a brother with challenges. At the melave malka, they got to see a spectacular thing: their community, their neighbors, classmates, friends… and the boys of Camp Simcha Special– and saw that these two entities can be joined, so there is no dividing line between “us” and “them”– their brother, and all the boys, have a place, an acceptance, a love, in the community. My boys experienced, perhaps for the first time, that we are all one and the same.
For this, and for everything else, I thank you…
May Hashem continue to bestow upon you shefa bracha vehatzlacha [an abundance of blessing and success], and grant you much koach[strength] to continue your wonderful work.
Sincerely,
Galiah Morgenstern
Kovy’s Mommy
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