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SONY Camp

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ALAN PARSONS

Deputy Headmaster

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SONY Camp Coordinator

I had the opportunity this year to chair the TSS Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp and I am very pleased that I took this on. In such ventures, success is not possible without gathering a competent, confident and committed team of staff whose only reward for a huge effort would be to see the transformational effect of the Camp on so many of our boys, both the full companions and the assistants.

Ms Sophie Wain and Ms Emma Andrews brought with them not only much needed experience and expertise, but more importantly a level of enthusiasm and commitment that was infectious. The camp this year was only made possible through their passionate contribution. Mr Stephen Eardley was without doubt the foundations on which the camp was built. His precamp workshops, organisation and support of the companions throughout the camp, evening debrief sessions and post-camp debrief were crucial in the success of the camp. Mr Karel Bos once again exemplified the contagious effect of positivity and passion, organising activities and engaging companions, assistants and campers in a series of

adventures each day. His ability to improvise and problem solve ensured each activity was both engaging and enjoyable. Mrs Liz Green again assembled an extraordinarily efficient and caring team of highly qualified healthcare professionals who ensured the campers received the best possible medical attention throughout the camp. Mr Tony Watt, Mr Tom Thackray, Mrs Jill Margerison, Mrs Katrina Martin and Mrs Robyn Gibson worked tirelessly each day of the camp assisting wherever needed and supporting the boys when they needed a word of comfort or advice or maybe a few minutes respite. Mrs Jennie Alford was exceptional in her organisation of the logistics of accommodation and meals for the camp. Her tireless efforts in ensuring all was in readiness for us are sincerely appreciated.

The impact of the Camp on the TSS boys is best seen through their own words. Below are reflections from two of the boys:

After two full days of training, instruction and videos, I had some idea about what would happen on the camp. However, nothing could fully prepare me for the actual thing. The 2015 SONY Foundation Children’s Holiday camp brought with it challenges that I had never yet encountered and as such, had a profound and indelible effect on me.

For four days I got to see a glimpse of how children with mental and physical disabilities cope with daily life. For some, it was a walk in the park. For others, it was an outright struggle. Watching these kids and their carers struggle through simple things such as going to the toilet evoked a strong sense of gratitude and understanding in me. I am thankful that I don’t have to look after these kids all the time. Because of that, I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for what their parents must go through. I am also very thankful that I myself don’t have a mental or physical disability and this has made me much happier and more grateful for the life that I have been blessed with.

Something else that really struck me throughout the camp was how much the camper depended on you in order to survive – just in their daily lives. Because of their lack of independence and communication skills, you have to put in a huge amount of effort every day to make sure that they are OK. This means putting the welfare of another person before your own – for the entire day. Up until the camp, this was something I hadn’t really experienced before, and by the end of just the first day I was extremely emotionally and mentally tired.

I think a key reason why the camp had such a profound effect on me (and everyone else) was that we were all doing it together. There was no sense of competition; there were no prizes for first place. Because of this, the mood created around the camp was genial and amiable – a truly supportive environment.

SONY camp has opened my eyes to a world I have never seen or experienced before and this has made a profound and indelible effect on my personal outlook on life.

The days leading up to the camp I was scared. Scared that things may be tougher than I first thought. It wasn’t until the last training day I thought to myself, I have to get over my fear and put in the hard yards for the next few days. My first time meeting Lachlan and Jay didn’t turn out to be the ideal greeting as they were both unsettled as soon as the boys got out of the car. They had what we would see a number of times throughout the camp, and that was their tantrums. This was first confronting to me, as it clearly wasn’t what I expected. However, once we went for our first of many strolls we discovered the twins love going for walks. This would become a regular routine. The first nappy change was of course confronting and would seen to be a challenge, but myself, Lachlan and James all helped one another to ensure the job was done quickly and properly. We eventually found a way to change the nappies and make the boys laugh at the same time. The twins seemed to like it when we would put on funny voices when going about daily activities; it seemed to spark them up into laughter. However, for me the most heart-warming and precious moment of the camp was waking up to Jay giggling as soon as he saw me. This for me was special and something I will never forget. Jay went from barely laughing the day before to laughing at me as soon as he woke up. I was very upset when Jay was sick through the night. Lachlan and I were up helping him, making sure he was OK. James also woke to Lachie kicking and wanting to be put in his chair to see if his brother was OK. A beautiful brother moment, it was as if Lachie sensed his brother was sick and had to see if he was all right. Jay ended up at hospital and left me devastated for the next day and a half, but Lachie certainly loved having all the attention as he now had three people looking after him at once. Being able to see Jay one last time was special for me as I didn’t exactly get the goodbye I wanted when he went to the hospital. Seeing his lovely and supportive parents also made me feel upset inside as I couldn’t come to the realisation that people as nice as them have looked after these boys every day since they were born in the condition they are in. I certainly am fortunate for who I am and am proud of myself for undergoing this amazing camp with an even more amazing camper.

The experiences these boys were exposed to through their participation in the Sony Camp this year will be with them long after they have forgotten much of what we have taught them about maths, history, English and science. This has been an authentic life experience and educational opportunity shared by the boys, the campers and the staff. We have all benefited from this extraordinary adventure.

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