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 Hi, my name is Alice. You might remember me
falling in a rabbit hole over a century ago and landed in Wonderland. Since my return from
this beautiful and strange place, I never grew old. I must have drunk from
Wonderland’s Fountain of Youth. Anyway, I fell into another rabbit hole last summer.
I didn’t travel back in Wonderland again, but this time entered the land of Camp
Jabberwocky. Camp Jabberwocky is a summer resort for individuals with disabilities, on the beautiful island of Martha’s Vineyard off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA. An English woman established the camp in 1953. Believe it or not, many campers and counselors have been going there for years, some for over 30 seasons. They consider Jabberwocky their second home. When I first arrived at the camp, I was nervous because I never met or talked with any people with disabilities before. Many campers were in wheelchairs, could not use their hands, or speak clearly, if at all. Others walked with crutches. I didn’t know what to say without worrying about hurting anyone’s feelings. Like mainstream society, I sadly had the same stereotypes towards disabled people. Everyone, however, warmly welcomed me. They also wanted me to tell a story after dinner, which is a Jabberwocky’s tradition for new comers. Jabberwockians truly loved the story about my adventures at Wonderland. My anxiety vanished after my storytelling and began talking and getting to know the campers. I realized that disabled individuals had the same goals, hopes, and desires as the non-disabled. Furthermore, I quickly discovered that campers were just as crazy as the counselors. It seems that there is nothing impossible at this lovely paradise. Campers and counselors participate in all sorts of summer activities such as swimming, horseback riding, boating, and even windsurfing. Jabberwockians are also a bunch of show-offs. They love to perform for each other, relatives, friends, and guests.
Jabberwocky's
history Katie
Johnson 's Foundation You are visitor . |
