Last night Wanda and I attended the ARC of Sylacauga's Awards Banquet. ARC stands for, Association of Retarded Citizens. ARC is one of the 19 illness related organizations that we donate camp space to each year. The facility donation allows the campers a once a year opportunity to hang out with their peers and a chance to “vacation” without their parents. To them, this is a big thing.
As the director spoke she mentioned one thing almost every parent in the room had faced. After the arrival of their child they were pretty much instructed by the medical staff to, "take them home and love them." She spoke from experience, being the parent of a 44 year old, mentally challenged young man she knows first hand the label that society tends to place on individuals that are different. She said, "Yes, we took him home, and yes, we love him, but there is way more to life than that. If people only knew or took the time to understand. The lives that these individuals have touched is immeasurable. She is so right, I am touched and amazed every year when they return for camp.
Personally, I think the definition of ARC says it better; the part of a circle that is the apparent path of a heavenly body above and below the horizon. So, "Take them home, love them and watch them shine."
During the awards program, ARC presented Children' Harbor with the "Distinguished Service Award” The award was in recognition of the donation of camp space for the past 4 years. Thank you ARC, it is a pleasure to be associated with such an awesome group of individuals! Keep on shining!
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