Hi! This is Brielle’s mom! I apologize in advance. This letter is going to be long. But this is the first year that Brielle is going to sleepaway camp for three whole long weeks, and I’m a nervous wreck. Just imagine what it must be like to send your non-verbal, mentally disabled child off for three whole weeks! I’m sure she will be better than me.
Brielle responds to Bree, Bree Bree, Brielle. She LOVES to be told she is pretty. And she loves her reflection. She LOVES mirrors 🙂.
While Brielle is non-verbal, she can communicate her basic wants and needs with her iPad – bathroom, foods, drinks, videos, swimming, etc. She can also maneuver her way around YouTube and through her videos, usually without assistance. Recently, though, her iPad has been a little temperamental, and sometimes she has to push buttons a couple of times for it to work. You can imagine how frustrating that must be for her.
I also sent Brielle’s little DVD player and her favorite DVDs. Get ready to hear the same songs, over and over and over and over and over and over and over! Welcome to my world!
Brielle loves anything musical. She loves to dance and listen to music – Taylor Swift and the Dixie Chicks are her favorite!
She is generally a very happy kid! She loves affection – hugs and snuggles, back and arm massages. Running and jumping.
When she is angry, she can be loud! She doesn’t like the word NO – but what teenager does? Be prepared to hear her say “AH!!” over and over again when she is trying to get your attention, or when you say no. We have been working on not responding to “AH!” at home.
When Bree gets very upset, she grinds her teeth a lot. She also can throw herself on the floor, or hit her legs or squeeze your fingers, so watch out!
Things that calm Bree down – her little pony, she loves to stim with. Chewing gum. Massages.
I packed gum, but keep it hidden or it will be gone in minutes! Also, keep toothpaste out of her reach. She used to eat it. She hasn’t in a while but I wouldn’t take a chance.
Bree loves to swim, but sometimes she needs a little encouragement to get in the water. Sometimes I just throw her in. Once she’s in, she’s happy for a while. She loves to jump in. She is very good at treading water too.
Bree will need help in the bathroom and in the shower. She will need help dressing too. I probably packed enough clothes for more than a month. Sometimes she will pick out which shirt she wants to wear.
As for her period, she doesn’t usually get it, thanks to birth control pills. But she will spot sometimes – she did a few days this week, so I packed pads.
Bree has very sensitive skin. She often gets heat rashes, especially on the backs of her arms, and sometimes her neck and face. If she gets bug bites they get easily infected, and when she is upset she will pick them. If the nurse puts Bandaids on her, please make sure they are not the very sticky ones, those irritate her skin. After her shower I put lotion on her skin. Please make sure she wears sunscreen, and insect repellent.
Brielle loves to eat! I packed her favorite snack bars. For breakfast, she loves anything potatoes, waffles, pancakes. Bacon, sausage. Juice. For lunch/dinner, any carb will do. She also eats chicken/hot dogs. She has no restrictions, and we have been working on expanding her palate. She has been trying new fruits/vegetables lately. For dessert, she loves ice cream (vanilla) and ice pops. And more carbs. Pretzels, chips.
Before bed, I’d try to limit her drinks, or she will wake up in the morning with wet sheets. And make her go before bed.
I hope she sleeps for you. I hope you tire her out and she sleeps soundly. She has had me up late and then early in the morning a couple of times recently, I hope she is sleepier for you!
I know they won’t let you call or text me, but I will be checking in often with the camp office. If there’s anything you need to know that can help you with Brielle, please do not hesitate to reach out.
What am I forgetting? I am sure a lot. But I will stop here and thank you. I already know you must be amazing people to dedicate your summers to working with the special needs population. So thank you in advance for giving Brielle the experience of a lifetime, and a chance for this tired mama to catch up on her sleep. God, I hope I can sleep 🙂.
When I leave Brielle with you, I leave you with a piece of my heart. Brielle is my angel, my world. Please keep her safe.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And Good luck!
Mama
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