Remember Hadley from last week’s post? Her letter caught the attention of Sarah Selcer, one of Hadley’s former counselors. Sarah loved being Hadley’s madricha and wants to help make sure Hadley and her friends are ready for another amazing CJ summer.

Hi Hadley!

Your friends and I can’t wait to have you at camp again this summer! It’s going to be the best summer ever! All the fun we have at camp can be tiring and waking up in the morning is sometimes hard but, I know that lots of counselors play some really good music in the morning that will get you up, moving, and ready for your busy day. Luckily, we have two periods of menucha (rest time) in the afternoon so you and all your friends can play lots of games together or take a quick nap if you need to rest. While walking in your group from peulah to peulah (activity), we will make sure to move at a nice pace for you to keep up. Some friends might walk quickly, but others won’t mind slowing it down so they can look around and see how beautiful camp is! You never know what you’re going to run into around camp; maybe you’ll spot some turtles, baby birds, pretty flowers, bunnies, and butterflies! I remember that you love to swim: well, the pool and lake are ready for you! I can’t wait to see you at Camp in just 5 months!

Love always,
Sarah (giggles)

At CJ, no two people are the same — some differences are just more noticeable. What is the difference between fair and equal? These are challenging concepts for children (and let’s face it, many adults) to fully wrap their brains around. Even when we understand the difference between these concepts, many of us find ourselves reverting back to the age-old whine, “It’s not fair.”

Fairness means that each person gets what he or she needs to be successful.

Equality is giving each person the exact same thing.

Children with disabilities can do many of the things other children do, but it might take them longer, need assistance, or adaptive equipment to help them.

A Family Activity:

• Place two high preferred items up on a shelf, so high that only the tallest participant can reach them (even if it takes some stretching or a little jumping).

• Say, “Anyone who can reach one can have it, no strings attached.” Choose the tallest person first.

• Ask for another person. Ignore the hands and select the shortest person. After a few unsuccessful attempts, they will often go for a chair or table. Say, “You may not use a chair; that would be unfair. So and so did it under her own steam. You must do the same.” Your family will likely complain: “That’s not fair! He can’t help that he’s small.”

• Ponder their argument and say, “Okay, give me your best reasons for allowing him to use a chair or any other kind of assistance in reaching the reward when so and so had no help. How can that be fair?!?”

• Discuss the issues and then let the shortest person use the chair. Discuss further how kids with disabilities don’t always do things the way you do things but it’s not because it is not fair,
but because it is equal. They will get it. Fair isn’t always equal

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