An experience that will last forever – Brynn Chappell

Brynn Chappell had the experience of a lifetime at her first Easter Seals camp in Squamish. Swinging on a zip line, swimming and being away from her family for the first time were just some of the highlights of her week long adventure.

“I never got homesick, I was having too much fun,” the seven year old quipped. “She didn’t even ask about us,” says her mom, Lore Chappell. Brynn’s fellow campers, who all had various types of disabilities, and camp staff were very supportive and made her feel accepted and included.

 

I never got homesick, I was having too much fun” – Brynn Chappell, 7-year-old

 

The week-long trip was supported in part by a campership from the Cerebral Palsy Association of British Columbia. Up to 15 campers with cerebral palsy enjoy a vacation of a lifetime each summer with financial assistance from the CPABC. Camp subsidies cover such costs as partial camp fees, transportation, and attendant care so that kids like Brynn can have fun and feel free.

Brynn joked that she liked being away from her brother and she liked actively participating in various activities every day. Her positive can-do attitude and belief that that nothing is impossible put her in the right frame of mind to grow and develop from being at camp. “I always [asked] can I do this, and can I do that,” she says.

 

It was amazing for her to have the experience to go away. We wouldn’t have been able to afford it otherwise,” – Mrs. Chappell.

 

The youngster points to her mom and dad as role models who have had a major impact on who she is today. “They are great people”.  Her mom says the campership from the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC was a major help in making camp become a reality for her daughter. “It was amazing for her to have the experience to go away. We wouldn’t have been able to afford it otherwise,” says Chappell.

“We had two-day trips before, but never a week. Of course we were nervous, but she loved it and they let us know that she was doing okay. The grant definitely helped. I wouldn’t have tried to do something that expensive otherwise.”

Brynn feels grateful to have participated in the activities and to have met fellow campers. It is an experience that she’ll cherish for a lifetime.

 

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