For those of you who don’t know, I work at camp for children, youth and adults with Different Abilities. Belwood Lodge and Camp, is by far my most favourite place in the world. There is so much I could say about it but I won’t bore you with all of it. Just go check out the website and you can read all about it’s amazingness. I am honoured to say that Belwood has realistically changed my life immensely. Belwood helped me to confirm where and what I wanted to do with the rest of my life and it’s taught me so much. Belwood provides and amazing vacation experience for some really great people who otherwise wouldn’t get one. I have met some of my best friends at Belwood and the relationships I’ve made there are unlike any other relationships I have. I am forever thankful for the experiences camp has given me. Now, the 2013 summer season has come to an end and it was a really great summer. I’m sad that it’s over, but the rest of this year is a super exciting one!
I’ve completely re-done our local Special Olympics swim program (using a lot of the advice you guys gave me- thanks!) and I think it’s going to rock! I’ve gathered a group of coaches who seem really interested and excited about the program which is a HUGE plus. I have a lot of faith in my program and coaches and I think it’s going to be an amazing swim season. I really think our athletes are going to love it.
I’ll also be coaching the Guelph Giants again, my super awesome Special Hockey International team. That’s super exciting. SHI is an amazing organization and I’m so thankful to be involved with it. You can read all about how I feel about SHI here.
I am continuing with my DSW studies this fall and should be done in May. This is also exciting.
All in all, it’s going to be great year.
Tagged: acceptance, Autism, awareness, camp, Cerebral Palsy, community, Different Abilities, Different not less, Down Syndrome, education, More Alike than Different, Special Hockey International, special needs, special olympics
Stories from the Sand Box... 
Thank you for such an informative update !!! Papa and I are extremely proud of you and your accomplishments !! You have offered your expertise in so many areas and are truly skilled in your work with people who have serious challenges ! Way to go. We are looking forward to this new year with great anticipation of the many new things you will do . We are so pleased to hear about your friends and coworkers at Belwood and with the swim and hockey team ! They sound wonderful . Thank you to every one of them !!
Good evening. i would like to get some information on this camp, where it is and how much, thank you.
Hi Alix!!!! Just wanted to let you know that Heath tried on his hockey gear today (yay! skates still fit) so we’re ready to go and looking forward to the first practice. I also wanted to check with you about the swimming in Fergus. The one in Guelph doesn’t fit in our schedule….when does the Fergus team practice and are you accepting new swimmers?
Hey Shauna!
That’s awesome! I’m super excited about this season! Did your mom tell you that I’m going to work specifically with Heath throughout the season? And work with the other coaches to try an involve him more. I’m really excited. Fergus swims on Tuesday nights from 7-8, we have a pretty cool program (I can’t actually say that because I created the whole thing but, I think it’s cool). As for new swimmers, Ron Heipel is in charge of registration so he’d know more about that but, if it works for your schedule I’m sure we can work something out.