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Community Corner

Jocelyn's Story

Jocelyn Heermance was born with Cerebral Palsy (CP), which caused her to have severe physical limitations. CP can be cause by damage to the cerebral cortex via birth or accident. In Jocelyn’s case, she lost oxygen to her brain during birth causing damage to the physical and motor parts of her brain.

 

Name: Jocelyn Heermance

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Age: 21

City in which you live:  Schenectady, New York

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·       What are your disabilities?

I have CP (Cerebral Palsy). CP limits me physically and I require assistance daily via my mom or my personal care aide.

 

·       What are some challenges you face?

I face daily anxiety, having to rely on others for help, making me feel like a burden to those close to me.  Also, socially I cannot always be around my family due to scheduling conflicts and everyday life. Jocelyn also has occasional depression, which makes her feel like she wants to change things in her life but Camp Colonie helped her to realize that she does not need to change anything and she actually belongs in society.

 

·       When did you start attending Camp Colonie?

I started attending Camp Colonie in 1998 and continued to attend Camp Colonie for 15 years from age 5 to 21.

 

·       When or how did you first hear about Camp Colonie?

My family first heard about Camp Colonie at a school meeting, when the school decided to take me out of Special Ed and put me into mainstream classes, which meant that I would lose summer school. Attention was brought to Jocelyn’s mom that Camp Colonie was built for students with disabilities to continue a school like structure over summer.

 

·       If you could attend Camp Colonie again, would you?

I would attend Camp Colonie every summer without hesitation, and even become a counselor if I was physically able.  If I won a million dollars, I would donate half of the money to Camp Colonie without hesitation to show how much I appreciate the lifetime impact it has had in my life, as well as my family.

 

·       You continue great efforts in fundraising. What kinds of fundraising have you done?

I designed special t-shirts online for Easter Seals New York Camp Colonie. I love participating in the annual bake sale and clothing sale combined. Jocelyn also received sponsors in the past for the Easter Seals New York Walk.

 

·       What drives you to continue fundraising?

My mission to make the world a better place for kids like myself, and I feel if I can help to keep Camp Colonie alive, that they will continue to be helping kids with disabilities feel like they actually fit in and belong somewhere. Jocelyn has a mission to provide kids with the same support to let them know they are not alone in their fight of challenges.

 

·       How much money have you made all together in your fundraising efforts?

Last year I raised roughly $500.00 total for Easter Seals New York Camp Colonie.

 

·       Why do you think people should donate to Camp Colonie?

People should donate to Camp Colonie because kids with disabilities deserve to be accepted and treated just like kids without disabilities.

 

·       Have you made friendships through Camp Colonie?

I have definitely made lasting, lifetime friendships at Camp Colonie, which will always be in my heart. Jocelyn was always shy in high school. As prom season drew near, she did not have a date for either her junior or senior proms. Jocelyn’s camp counselor Keith at the time knew that and with parental permission was Jocelyn’s date for both proms. That, by far in her eyes, will always be a memorable gift from Camp Colonie that she will cherish in her heart for the rest of her life.

 

·       If you could use one word to describe Camp Colonie, what one word would you use?

There are by far a million different words someone could use to describe Camp Colonie, but my favorite word to describe Camp Colonie is “Family”.

 

·       How did Camp Colonie impact your family?

My mom felt comfortable with allowing my going out and experiencing different things such as talents shows, pony rides, kissing a baby goat, learning more about people with different disabilities. My mom knew that I had a sense of belonging to this unique summer program.

 

If you would like to learn more about and support Easter Seals New York Camp Colonie, please contact (518) 456-0828 or btalbot@eastersealsny.org or go to our website www.eastersealsny.org

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