I spent my last 2 weeks at Penn York Camp with basically only one camper. Two weeks ago I also had responsibility over 3 more campers, but there were so experienced that I barely had to do anything. I could trust them--a huge blessing for any camp staff! So that allowed me to give adequate attention to this other camper, Joey. Then last week I was given responsibility for only Joey and no other campers.
Joel Rosario is one of a handful of campers that choose to come to Penn York Camp for multiple weeks during the summer. Usually campers that really love PYC can find two weeks that fit their age group and convince their parents to allow them to go twice. It's not that way for Joey. He never comes for a week in his age group. PYC doesn't hold camps for his age group. Last Sunday Joey turned 24. The closest fit week for him is teen week (last week) and the other week he loves is music camp (two weeks ago). For many years Joey has been coming to those camps when he is able. I remember 5 years ago, my last year at PYC as a camper, he was also a camper at teen camp.
See, Joey is severely mentally and physically handicapped. For those with patience he can walk around a bit on his uneven and very unsteady legs with the aid of a strong arm for his grasping left hand. But 95% of the time Joey will be seen cruising in his neon green Quickie II wheelchair. Since is right hand is shriveled and useless, the best Joey can do on his own in his chair is spin in circles. Yeah, that is slightly amusing, but he makes good use of it when able to face the direction he pleases, generally in the direction of the nearest music. Other times it's up to me to push him over hill and dale. I'm not really sure what that phrase implies, but for those of you that know PYC, the main building in on top a hill and everything else is down hill from there. So that makes coming back from everywhere a nice long uphill climb.
He requires extensive help to go to the bathroom and get changed in the morning. With bite size food he can eat fine on his own as long as someone watches to see that he chews and swallows often enough. Joey's main speaking is in echoes of whatever was just said to him. Since that proves useless in practical conversation, I had to make a lot of guesses at to what he needed. His most common useful phrase is "need to go to the bafroom." Unfortunately, that could also mean that he wanted to go to sleep. Occasionally he used "need to go to the bed," but more often it was pleads for bafroom and pointing to his bed or grabbing his pillow that conveyed the need for a nap. Words like "mommy" stressed the importance of his need whether I knew the need or not. Occasionally a head shake or nod when asked extremely simple questions would help.
I feel like I could write for hours about the uniqueness of Joey, but I'll only take the time to write more about his smiles and his laughter! He is so infectious! When he is not sleepy, he'll often be smiling. When music is also going he'll add a little bobbing forward and back. And his laughter always seems sporadic and leave me questioning what ever could be so hilarious. He'll giggle at the smallest things and anytime people take interest in his giggles it'll quickly be turned into the most heart warming laughter you've ever heard! His whole body will shake as he leans forward cracking up with cute yet intense laughter! Drool will always be present and the laughter will continue for minutes! The threat of a tickle will always up the intensity, whether you get close enough to tickle him or not! Just saying: "Joey, I'm going to tickle you" often does the trick!
From waving to himself in the mirror to 2:30am bathroom breaks; from singing along with each and every song to struggling to get him into the pool; from Combos and cake to needing to go to the bathroom a minute after we finally have reached the archery range, I'm going to miss him. It's been a good 2 weeks, Joey! May you continue to bring unspeakable joy everywhere you go!
