Camp Chikawhatever

Have you ever felt like you didn't belong? Or that your Child didn't? Yesterday was one of those days that hit me hard. I typically have a thick skin and a lot of trust in people but when it comes to my son, it's a very different story. Because I have little time to write down the events of what happened, I'm going to put it here as a copy for my records, what is going to be said to the director and for others to know what exactly happened. Yesterday was Nicholas's first day to any kind of camp outside of the school district. It was being held at our local Parks and Rec and was told about it through my son's teacher back in April. We had no plans for Nicholas this summer and wanted to gt him involed as much as possible. Also, having him home with a 1 year old was going to be very difficult so it was a win win for everyone. On April 24th, I called and spoke to someone who said they were over it last year but someone new is taking over. I explained my son had autism and was a runner. When I say runner, I mean he's like a ninja, he can escape any situation and watches you to do it unnoticed. I told her he was unable to follow commands, like most AU kids and she said that they have had several AU you kids in the past and that they are trained to take care of the kids. I even mentioned he would need one on one. Again, no problem. She gave me the date of May 15th, when registration opened and told me I can call if I had any questions. That date arrived and I was still hesitant to sign him up until another one of Nicks AU friends parent asked if He was going. I told her my fears but thought If L(her daughter) was going then Nicholas would love to be there. So the following day (05/27/2014) I called and asked if there were still openings. She said yes and, again, I gave a brief discription of my son. No red flags raised on their side so I signed him up. Time passed and really didn't think anything about it until the night before. I started getting nervous and decided to go through my emails and see if his application had been rejected. Nothing. I looked again at the schedule and noticed on day during the secound week of camp they were going swimming. I knew that day would have to be skipped because they required him to wear a life jacket while swimming and Nicholas wouldn't comply because, thankfully, he's a great swimmer and would not want something so bulky on him while he was swimming. Don't get me wrong, they should require life jackets but that's not option here. Nightmares from the YMCA are popping back in my head (story for another time). So, the next morning rolled around and we woke him up by saying "Nicholas, it's time to go to camp and see L!! He jumped out of bed and was so happy!! He doesn't have a clue what camp is but he knew it was something special (plus L was going to be there). My husband went with me because I wasn't sure where it was. When we got there Nicholas grabbed his lunch and couldn't wait to see where he was going. We entered through the side door behind a nice man and his daughter who had Down Syndrome. It seemed as if they had been there before so I followed them. The lady at the small desk as you walked in greeted them and gave the girl a name tag and explained to her why she had to where it and that it would help the other staff member remember her name. It was so cute because you can tell how happy she was to be there. Then it was our turn. I asked her is this was the camp where my son needed to be and she said yes. She looked at Nicholas, who was taking everything in and showing excitement by seeing other kids. She never smiled. No big deal, she was busy. I then proceeded to tell her of Nicholas "quirks". How he runs off and does listen to commands very well. The look on her face said it all. She said they didn't have a lot of people there so one on one was going to be hard to do. I ask then if they were going to stay in the classroom for the most  part and she said yes other than the walk around the track in the beginning and that she had too many kids that it would be hard for them to keep up with Nicholas. I ask if someone could at least hold his and and she said "I guess I can." Nicholas at this time has already made his way to the middle of the classroom, doing his little dance and spinning and a couple of time saying "It's a Birthday!" When I looked back at her she said "Let me have your number if there's any problems." Even though I was on the massive registration 100 times, I started to give it to her. Nothing else was sad. I started to walk away and a remembered the name tag. I looked at her and said "Excuse me, does he get a name tag?". She then asked me what his names was while shifting through the labels. I said "It's Nicholas" and reached done and peeled it off my self. Red flags all over the place. I then saw L's mom and went over to here and expressed my concerns. I notice 3 of the staff members and noticed they all looked about 16-17 years old. I went to two of them and asked them to please look out for my son that he was a runner. Her responce was "Cool, he's on the track team!" pointing to another 17 year old staff member. I explained to her that's not what I meant but that he was a flight risk, liked to escape and venture to new area's. She and the guy promised to keep an eye on him. Then I went to the "Track Team" guy and ask if he would do the same. He said yes. Gave Nicholas kisses and told him to be good and left with L's mom. Before I left the room, I was already in tears. She gave me a hug and said "Give it today and see what happens.". So we left.

I instantly got in touch with Nicholas's teacher and told her what I experienced and she said go and get him out. I told her I was going to give it today, comeback around a few times to kinda check on him, and see how it goes. Got home, still feeling like crap, I started working to get my mind off of it. Not even an hour goes by and it was her (front desk lady) She said "This isn't working out, you need to come and get him. He was upset and screaming because he didn't want to do what he was asked to do." She then told me it was taking away from the others and she couldn't do that. I asked her "Why would you even offer a special needs camp to him?" She said she's not sure but wasn't able to take care of him. We got in the car as fast as we could, As soon as I got there, I walked in and noticed Nicholas at a table by himself with his back to everyone else. The teacher (by the way, has 29 years experience with special needs) was sitting in her seat with 3 other kids and two staff members. She looked up and mouthed "Sorry". I was furious! I went over and Nicholas was very content. From her seat she said "This is the calmest he has been". Never getting out of her seat. I told Nicholas it was time to go home and we headed toward the door. She said NOTHING!!! No good-bye, no it was good to meet you, NOTHING!!!!!! I am blazing at this point! I get outside and put Nicholas in the car with his dad (thank goodness he didn't go in) and was about to head toward the office for a refund when I noticed someone walking toward me. She was the director of the program and was very apologetic. I explained to her everything that happen and then noticed the "teacher" didn't even give Nicholas his lunch back. I'm biting nails at this point. She again said she was sorry and I walked with her to get my refund. After the paperwork was done I asked her if she was in the room with them and she said no. I said "When you go back, tell her thanks for giving my son a chance!". The lady who issued the refund came to her defence and said she was a very good teacher and all I could reply was "I didn't see any signs of that today, I'm sorry." The director told me she wanted something wrote up on what happened and she wants to look into it further. I shook my and left. I wasn't just mad, I was confused. My husband and I discussed it further and I kept thinking what would have happened if he was the one that took or picked him up. So, as I sit here I'm still baffled on how anyone can dismiss a child like that.  I mean 29years experience?? Being a special needs teacher?! Was my son so bad that 1 hour that she couldn't of handled it? And did she really not have enough people to have a one on one for him while she and two others staffers where twirling yarn around a stick? After writing all this down, it makes me even more mad. I haven't decided on how it will be handle but I can't let this slide. NO CHILD SHOULD BE LOOKED OVER BECAUSE HE IS DIFFERENT!!!! If you are going to place yourself caring for someone who is special, there are no exceptions!! NONE!!!