Easter Seals Canada has launched a nationwide month-long campaign in March, to amplify the courageous stories of Canadian children and young adults with disabilities
The campaign’s objective is to generate a clear understanding of just what it takes for children to fully access their lives and asks Canadians to play a role in making it happen by donating online at www.eastersealsmonth.ca.
“If you’ve ever been a camper or staff member at Camp Easter Seal, you know the universal impact a camping experience holds,” said Dave Starrett, president and CEO of Easter Seals Canada. “For many of us, it shapes who we become in life — our camp friends tend to be our lifelong friends. For children living with disabilities it is the same, but much, much more!”
“Fully-accessible cabins, facilities, programming and camp activities are expensive. It takes a lot of specialized equipment and skilled staff to make it happen. But it’s worth every penny when you see the look on a child’s face after conquering a high ropes course, or feeling the freedom of sailing across the lake, or laughing uncontrollably with new friends around a burning campfire,” said Starrett.
It can cost up to $2,500 to send just one child living with disability to an Easter Seals camp. “It’s a lot, but how do you put a price tag on the kind of experience that generates memories and friendships that are everlasting, ultimately changing lives. Camp is not only a game-changer — it’s a life-changer!”
Easter Seals Canada’s National Ambassador, Brandon Liston has watched lives change around him every summer for years.
“I know I have a disability and that there are some things I cannot do,” said Liston. “But Camp really helps focus on the ability and see the ability in a disability. It has honestly shaped who I am today.”
Summer camp has been changing lives forever. Easter Seals operates 14 summer camps across Canada. These fully accessible properties allow children with disabilities to have experiences that they would never otherwise have, including the opportunity to participate fully in the out-of-doors for the first time, with a camp full of children who have had largely, a shared life experience.
Easter Seals’ annual Paper Egg campaign takes place in retailers across Canada, in addition the the featured online campaign.
