The Farrell Family

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Told by Sean and Jenee Farrell

For Sam, Jill’s House Rocky Top Camp in Nashville is the happiest place on the planet! It’s his most favorite place to be.

Sam has been attending Jill’s House Weekend Adventures Camp since he was 12 years old. We started exploring different day camps and programs for Sam long before we sent him to Jill’s House. We wanted him to experience the youth church programs that meant a lot to us during our own childhood. However, we went through some frustrating experiences when Sam was turned away from other programs that couldn’t accommodate him. It was heartbreaking!

When we first heard about Jill’s House, we had obvious concerns. But when we met with the Local Program Manager, we were very impressed by the depth of her questions and her interest in Sam and his motivations. We were relieved to hear that Sam would be welcomed, cared for, and kept happy.

Sam is very social and loves to be active. He has a huge heart and a great sense of humor. He loves water slides, roller coasters, music, and dancing. He enjoys helping in the kitchen and likes knowing that he’s done something well. Although we were sure that camp would be a great experience for him, we were still cautiously optimistic.

When the first weekend arrived, we anxiously waited for the phone call asking us to pick him up—the call to tell us that they could no longer accommodate Sam. This is what we had been used to. But the call never came! Then, when we picked Sam up at the end of the weekend, he was radiating happiness. Pictures of him from that weekend—and those of many others he’s attended since then—show him with the biggest smile and a constant look of pure joy. We finally found what we had been looking for!

Sam excels in an environment that is set up specifically for him. Inclusivity is good too, for many reasons. But Sam thrives better in an environment that is designed just for him, and Jill’s House offers that experience. Everything that Jill’s House offers has been designed with him and other kids like him in mind.

Once we realized that Sam was going to be comfortable and accepted at Jill’s House, we felt immense gratitude, as if we had all been given the most tremendous gift.

Having a child with special needs can be difficult. We know Sam’s younger brother also feels that. But we also see how our family has grown in being compassionate and understanding of one another, and other families too. While Sam is at Jill’s House, we have been able to use the opportunity to connect in our marriage and take our younger son to activities that don’t interest Sam.

Sam is now 17 years old and will graduate from high school this spring. During the fall, he will move into vocational training, where he will continue to develop skills for employment. He enjoys helping in the school cafeteria and also works in the school store. Sam has a big heart and even bigger enthusiasm. He’s a popular guy wherever he goes!

When Sam comes home from camp, he will go through the whole list of foods he ate and the activities he did. And he would always ask to return! We have so many emotions as we consider this next chapter in Sam’s life. We are excited, yet we also feel sad that his time at Jill’s House is coming to an end. We will always be grateful for Jill’s House and the incredibly passionate staff at Jill’s House and Camp Rocky Top!

 

The Anderson-Page Family

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Told by Pam Anderson

Born on the 25th of December 2007, Steven was a Christmas baby. He was placed with us when he was merely 6 months old. He was such a tiny baby—weighing only 6 lbs. when he arrived. Back then, I never could have imagined how radically he would change my life. He may not be my biological child, but I think of him as a precious gift.

At 9 months old, Steven was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and we were able to get him into early intervention services. He went on to see different therapists and doctors. Over these last 2 years, he has had to undergo several surgeries. He has had bilateral hip surgery on both hips, developed contractures, has had to have surgery on one leg, and is about to have his other leg operated on this summer. He can no longer use a walker and is now primarily bound to a wheelchair. It has been hard, but he is a beautiful child and is taking on these challenges as well as he can.

Steven is very verbal. He speaks in phrases and can put words together to form sentences to tell you exactly what he wants and what he doesn’t. He is also very polite and charming, but he can be a pistol with me. I guess that’s what makes him a typical teenage boy.

I learned about Jill’s House many years ago through a friend on Steven’s T-ball team. I don’t know why it took me so long to inquire about it, but I’m so glad I finally did. I guess it’s because we as parents and guardians are so hesitant to send our special needs child into the care of someone else. We worry about our children and whether they will be all right or not. However, after observing Steven’s first weekend at the Rocky Top Weekend Adventures Camp, I wish I had enrolled him earlier!

Steven has now participated in the camp twice. As he was getting ready to go this last time, I heard him repeat to himself, “Make new friends.” As we arrived at the camp’s entrance, he rolled his window down and called out to his friends. It’s obvious that he loves the camp very much. When I picked him up at the end of the weekend, he went on and on about ziplining, water activities, and horseback riding. Yes, Steven went horseback riding! Who could have thought?

 

What I love the most about Jill’s House is that Steven can participate in various activities, and he is not made to feel limited in his ability. So many people are available to help each child experience all the activities, so if it was going to take 4 people to help Steven enjoy horseback riding, then that’s what they were going to do! One camp counselor told me, “Although Steven might forget about me, I will never forget about him.” In all honesty, I doubt Steven will ever forget how special the camp made him feel.

I suppose Steven would say that his favorite thing about camp is being able to see his friends. After all, being a special needs child can be very isolating; you can’t just run down the street and play with your friends. However, while at the camp, Steven gets to spend the entire weekend with his friends.

Since Steven is not my biological child, some people like to tell me just how good I am to be caring for him. What they don’t know is that he is the one who has been a blessing to me. He is a very special young man. I’m sure he would love to get up and run, but, unfortunately, that is never going to happen. I see him as a child sent by God, and I am committed to doing everything I possibly can for his sake.

Today, society has become more inclusive of kids and even adults with special needs by offering spaces for them to engage in a variety of activities; however, there is still a long way to go. Jill’s House does a beautiful job of helping these kids. I am so grateful for Jill’s House!

Thank you for making stories like Steven’s possible.