Hi my name is Kristen Hill, my eight year old daughter is Kayla Hill. We have been trying to get to Camp Attitude for three years now, first year we couldn't afford it, last year Kayla had to have surgery, and this year we are now in Florida so it would be even harder to get there. Kayla has CP was born at 1 1/2 pounds. She does not walk, talk, crawl or eat on her own. But she is awesome! Her teacher Mrs. Annie Flaherty from Stockton CA is attending Camp this year as she has in the past. I'd just like to tell you what a wonderful person this woman is.

We knew that Kayla could understand us at about age one and a half, she would pout when I turned off Barney and cry at bedtime, so forth, so by three she started preschool in an integrated program in San Diego. She did really well and reacted to the kids, paid attention when read too but still did not communicate, she would look at symbols when asked "which is the ball" and so forth. We moved to Stockton when Kayla was starting Kindergarten, and that was when we met Aneei. She was Kayla's OH teacher and you all know Kevin Morgan was also in her class, that year Kayla had an aide, and Annie worked on trying to get Kayla to communicate, we figured out she would look one way for yes and the other for no. Well by the second year she was doing this so well we could actually TEST her and she was up to speed.

The second year Annie was able to be with Kayla all day, and I just have to tell you how wonderful it was for us to communicate with her. Kayla had about seven surgeries that year so was held back in first grade. Last year was the best. Annie was able to get Kayla a communication device called a "head mouse" Kayla can move a mouse on computer and Dynavox with a tiny sticker on her head.

I just think you should be very thankful to have her support and have her at your Camp, we are definitely going to try to come next year with Annie. Teachers like her are hard to find, she loves what she does and makes it her life, she gave my daughter a voice as she did with Kevin and I can't wait to see how many other kids she will help in the future.

Now I know when my daughter is sick, what's bother her, if she WANTS something, these things most parents take for granted, but I take as a gift, and teachers like her are the gift givers. Please acknowledge her presence at Camp and let her know that even though we aren't there we support her and hope for a wonderful time for all the children and their families. And please let me know about Camp next year in San Diego. We will make it come rain or shine!

Thank you and God Bless you and Camp!!
Kristen Hill

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