And so................. we began our investigating on how we could make this happen. We contacted Shuey and Sara Biston and Tami Cohen both amazing directors of Camp Gan Izzy of Parkland and Boca and both camps although not special needs camps,were more then willing to have Ari join there camp! excitement was flowing and we began our search for a shadow for Ari. Not so easy i tell you! Ari has a hard time focusing and is not potty trained. Ari cannot talk and if you don't know sign language it can be very frustrating- and safety is the biggest issue- Ari is not aware of danger and as u can see the job description of a shadow extent. during all this time we had decided to send Ari to Gan Izzy of Boca ,because his older sister Rosie wanted to be with her friends there ,and with the drive between the house and the camp it was the logical decision. Rabbi Bukiet and Rabbi Denburg opened their hearts to Ari and Camp day was approaching. Still no shadow for Ari. to tell u the truth i was starting to rest up- if i couldn't find someone-then i would take Ari myself! Two days before Camp I met Rebecca and the connection between Ari and her was instant! Camp begun and i nervously waited to hear how his day was. His smile said it all! he came home so happy and ,well Rebecca needed a nap! over the next couple of days Ari thrived in ways i could only dream about! it was the first shabbos of camp ,and Ari and i were playing while tatty took a nap , and i asked Ari, Ari what do u do at camp? it was then that i realized the true impact that being surrounded by this amazing Gan Izzy family had on Ari. he proceeded to take a chair ,moved it to the front of the room and stood up tall and proud on top of it. he then covered his eyes with one hand and then used the other hand to do Shema Yisroel- one of the twelve pesukim! he could not speak it- but he was shouting loud and clear! and he waved his hand for every word- and when he was done he clapped his hands in laughter and did the motions to a cheer that they sing at line up. i was shocked , i didn't know if i should laugh, or cry or ............i just couldn't believe what i was seeing! it was an extreme opposite -form his starring role as Santa in his Hanuka play at school! my heart swelled and at this point tatty was up and we were watching our very own bochor do line up with his sister! my wheels started turning -and i wanted more- call me selfish, call me silly -(don't call me late for dinner) but i wanted more, we were thirsty and we wanted to soak in as much as we could for him. and so i took my role as an advocate (my starring role) for Ari and began contacting two or three Gan Izzy's from around the world. possibilities were endless for my Ari- and i wanted him to be a part of this in more ways then one can imagine- i wanted his neshama to fill with chayis and fill with pride of who he is and where he comes from- i wanted him to be stuffed so it could last him all threw the year. i wanted him to be a part of something that i never realized we missed as much as we did till now. Ari doesn't know it yet but my project is about to make him a world class traveler right from his own backyard! the response was amazing! i was touched by the human kindness of shluchim around the world who took the time to read the email and to respond. one of the first emails to come in was from Goldie Avtzon of Hong Kong- and although many came in with touching responses and support, it was Goldie who gave me the push and the strength to really continue my dream for Ari. it was one sentence -one single sentenced that made my heart do flip flops(5 bucks at old navy-just FYI) "of course we will send Ari a t-shirt- we would love for Ari to be a part of our camp! " i don't even think till this day that she realizes the impact of the words she soulfully shared to me. its was true! Ari was part of their camp- their family- he was part of camp Gan Izzy of Hong Kong! Goldie then asked me about Ari and asked if she could show the kids at camp a picture of Ari- and of course i sent one- they wanted to identify with whom they were welcoming into their camp. it touched me, it lifted me . that night as i kissed Ari as he slept in his bed - i saw all the endless possibilities of this whole project - not only for Ari but for all the special needs lubavitch kids out there who so desperately need the ruchnius and the chayis of Camp Gan Izzy. Before i knew it , Ari was welcomed into many camps around the globe- every shliach that sent him a t-shirt, every little note ,and magnet that was sent along, every piece of heart that was felt -filled my Ari up. every day he puts on a t-shirt he is transformed . its like his super hero costume - he can do anything-it gives him strength it gives him encouragement and it gives us ,his family renewed emunah. i know u some of u might be thinking is this woman nuts? a t-shirt? can do all that! and my answer is YES! yes it can - and then some! determination comes easy to my Ari - that's how he has passed so many tests in life. but for me- sometimes, i need a little boost.and it makes me happy to see him happy. it makes me smile to know he is part of something so vital to his soul. it makes me so proud that he can stand on a chair like a head counselor(thanx Devora Masinter) and shout on the top of his lungs Shema and Vohavta! it makes me so proud when he is the virtual hachi of the week in Gan Izzy of ........where ever it may be. thank u so much for every single camp that has welcomed Ari and thank you so much to the camps who have gone way beyond the t-shirt and helped to make this dream- a reality. i look forward in sharing with everyone Ari's summer at Camp Gan Izzy (the special Crew) in .............wherever his heart desires!
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