By Deron Hamel
Natalie Alzate says her nine-year-old son Joaquin has become more self-confident and his communications skills have flourished since he began attending Summerfest Camp in 2014.
Having recently attended Summerfest Camp for the second time, Joaquin continues to show increased socialization and a “can-do attitude,” Natalie tells Voices of Epilepsy.
When Joaquin attended Summerfest Camp last year he was hesitant to go, Natalie says. He had never been away from home by himself and he was nervous about going to the camp, which is held annually at Camp Couchiching, near Orillia.
Now in its 21st year, Summerfest Camp has an average of 20 to 40 children and youths who have epilepsy attend the program; they participate in activities such as swimming, hiking, kayaking and sports. The camp is staffed with people trained in how to work with children living with epilepsy.
After returning from Summerfest Camp last year, Joaquin didn’t say much about his experience. Natalie and her husband, Rafael, wanted Joaquin to attend camp again this year, so they waited until shortly before he was scheduled to go before telling him.
“The week before camp started we let him know, and he was really excited about going – I had not seen a smile on his face that big in a very long time,” Natalie says. “He was excited about being there, and he didn’t even say bye to us, that’s how excited he was about being at camp with the other kids.”
As soon as he returned from Summerfest Camp a few weeks ago, Joaquin was showing signs that a positive change had occurred. “He was a little more mature, and showing more independence,” Natalie says.
For example, Joaquin has been showing leadership in helping to care for his 3-½-year-old brother and a two-month-old sister.
“He has really taken on this ‘little daddy’ role with them,” Natalie says. “If he sees his brother doing something that he shouldn’t be doing he is really a lot more in tune with letting us know.
“And he is now trying to face challenges on his own, rather than being hesitant to even try things.”
Another change Natalie and Rafael have seen in Joaquin is that he has become more inquisitive, sometimes even asking strangers questions.
“He is a lot more interested in asking questions now,” Natalie says.
Natalie says she believes what has made a difference is being at camp with children Joaquin doesn’t see on a regular basis. At school, he is surrounded by the same group of children, but each camping experience introduces him to new people, she says.
“At camp he is almost able to recreate himself,” Natalie says.
Summerfest Camp was founded in 1994 by Anita Allen, a neurology clinic nurse at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). The camp enables children aged six to 15, who are living with seizure disorders, to attend camp with other children. Camp Couchiching provides a setting where children can forget about their epilepsy.
Summerfest Camp is financially supported by Epilepsy Ontario and made possible by fundraising events held throughout the year.
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