Handicamp: A Fellowship Retreat for Adults with a Mental Disability
Вставка
- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- This documentary follows two first-time volunteer companions at Handicamp, which is a recreational camp for adults with mental disabilities.
Sean is a long-time camper who has Down Syndrome, and this year he is paired with Jeff for the week. They quickly form a tight bond, and Jeff is able to break down Sean's jovial facade and get down to the core issues of his life. Sean is aware of his disability, and he wonders why he's alone and still living at home with his parents. He also wonders why he can't fall in love and why he doesn't have many friends. These are tough issues for Jeff to respond to, and he can't provide Sean with all of the answers. But he can focus on building a relationship with Sean and planting seeds for a long-lasting friendship beyond Handicamp.
Bonnie has been coming to Handicamp for two years and knows how to have a good time. She never stops laughing and is amused with the simple pleasures in life. Bonnie is known to love her volunteer companion one second and then hate her the next second which makes her a difficult camper to match up. Fortunately, Bonnie is paired with a teenager named Diane who becomes one of the best friends that Bonnie has ever had.
Produced by Kent Bye
Music by Gwen Mitchell
More info on Handycamp & Lutheran Disability Ministries can be found here: www.ldminc.org/...
Kent Bye
Producer & Director: Kent Bye
Music: Gwen Mitchell
I love people who have compassion for the handicap 😊
Working with children who have disabilities is just a amazing job , my oldest son was born with. Ds and he was just so freaking amazing, i miss him everyday, he taught me patience and true unconditional love, he passed away in 2018 hes forever 23💛💙
Justin
he knows exactly what he means I've got a brother with the same disability and he knows a lot more than you'd think
He means he wants to bone her.
It's natural, he's human.
Absolutely amazing , im a support worker for adults with learning disabilities and this just made me smile , all the hard work is definitely worth it ♡
That is disgusting to say
+jodie wild Thank you for the work you do!
That's awesome I have a few friends who have an intellectual disability and they are very nice.
@@jodiewild7894 what's disgusting¿¿¿¿
The town I grew up in had a camp for the mentally challenged. It wasn't religious like the one in the video, so it was great to have diverse campers and staff. Almost all of the teenagers in my town would work at the camp during the summer. It really helped people learn to be nice and compassionate to others.
***** Unfortunately, it closed down about five years ago. I'm not sure why. I haven't lived there for 17 years. Everyone was accepted, and it was just about having a fun and enjoying the outdoors during summer.
I'm glad Jeff finally realized how to address Sean's repeated question of "what if you have a child like me?" I was initially thinking, it's not that hard, dude. Just say, "I would love that. You're a really great guy, so fun, great at checkers. I would love to have a child with your great qualities."
At least Jeff figured it out. Even a simple, "I would love my child" suffices. If he returned to the camp another season, he'd be more prepared for certain situations, I'm sure. That teen girl was great. She really went in there and didn't feel like a fish out of water at all. Often kids with siblings with disabilities are the most thoughtful people. They grew up experiencing it and don't judge or get nervous like some people.
Definitely. I was disappointed with his answer and apparent hang up about that. He was way over thinking the situation. The answer is simple: I would love him. Jeff, although willing to be a blessing in sharing his friendship with Sean, did have a hang up with that one.
Wonderful documentary - real humanity and warmth shown by the makers and camp volunteers. Sean and Bonnie have a lot more charisma and indeed self-knowledge than the trolls below who would seek to demean them. I'm an atheist, but I think if belief has made these people donate their time to helping others have dignity and fun in their lives, I can't argue with that. We're all judged (by a God if you believe or by other humans if you don't) on what we actually do. Everything else is just noise.
It's makes me happy to see the companions become close to the campers so quickly, they are very willing be vulnerable and humble.
A place where people with different mental disabilities can forget about their plight and just have a week of summer fun and nothing but summer fun and it looks like Sean and Bonnie are having the summer of their lives.
The profound personal growth of some of the volunteers in this documentary is quite amazing. A lesson for all of us to spend more time with intellectually disabled / vulnerable people and listen to the wisdom they have to teach us. Particularly that we are no better than each other or worse than each other despite any intellectual, physical, spiritual or other difference we might have with each other. We all have something to teach each other and we all have something to learn from each other. Peace and love to all of you.
What a fantastic place. Love Sean and Bonnie. I'll have to remember "say I love you in Spanish " that's hysterical
I love this video. It made me cry because I have a brother who has down syndrome and shawn looks so much like my brother robert. Every day I appreciate my brother he has taught me so much.I thank God that he gave me a brother with down syndrome. I really believe that God allows some of his children to be born this way . In their weakness God shows his Grace
THANK TOU GOD FOR THE GIFT YOU HAVE GIVEN ME AND MY FAMILY MY BROTHER ROBERT .
It really makes me sad to see people making fun of these people these people have worse. These people are good people they don't deserve to be make made fun of him.
Indeed! Those who are cruel towards those individuals should be scared straight!
Sara Houck They scare me straight enough, that is why I would have a hard time around them, but I think that the old lady in the middle of the video was very sweet. I just don't know what these people are thinking. How can I accept someone without understanding them at all?
I totally agree with you.xtiffany.
Christopher Duclos we just need to treat these wonderful people with respect and love.
Yeah ikr.. I have Autism and I am actually high functioning! for this video it is really sad to actually know that such disabilities like these people have actually exist! World is way more than everything we see today that's for sure..
I wish where i worked did stuff like this. I just love how they call it Handicamp..... no one is truly handicapped, Your disability is what you make of it, never be ashamed of who you are or how god made you!
Fuck God
Fuck god for allowing any of this to happen. This shit's horrifying
I commend these young people for their patience and kindness. Personally I don't think I could last 2 days at a place like this.
Aw, the 60 year old is so cute :)
Love this!! I have mild cerebral palsy myself and it warms my heart watching this! God bless those volunteers and campers :)
God has made such a great place for the disabled in this camp to make friends and do fun activities they wouldn't otherwise get to do. This video is touching and shows how people with Down Syndrome, Autism, and other disabilities go through the same problems as regular people. After watching this, I'm starting to consider that career path. God changed the disabled and the volunteers at heart, and gave them a good friend. Such a beautiful thing to see God work :)
Do you happen to know where the camp at. My sister and Aunt both are Down syndrome they would enjoy this camp
I hate when people say " oh they don't know , they don't understand " they do and they just want to love and be loved like anyone else does
People are dicks
I would help out their when I was in high school and I loved every minute of it and would love to go back
I went to a similar camp like this when I was a kid! I was the only blind person there, all the others had other disabilities. It was so much fun though!
These counselors do deserve much respect for the compassion they show. As nice and warm as this presentation seems....let's realize the severe cases of people that remain isolated within facilities often never seen or heard. Downs syndrome people can be the most loving individuals. I lost a dear family member with D.S. She touched our lives everyday . Her great humor and ambitions kept her happy in her short stay with us. I once feared those of these so called differences. Inside they are just like us.
god is not cruel for giving us such sweet people to lift are spirits and God knew some families need someone with such positive attitude's in there lives we love them and they love us
Well said.
I am a camp counselor at heart. If I could make a living at it I would still be doing it at 45. It’s my heart and I think having that experience at a camp like this would be amazing. ❤️
What an incredible program, and the people running it are so inspirational! I makes me so happy to know there are such good people in this world that can seem so dark at times. They are a light in the shadows, and they are shining examples to the rest of us. ^_^
I wonder if Jeff is still in contact with Sean
bonnie and Dianne's bond was beautiful.especially the certificate time.
I like these teenagers take time out of the summer and go to handicap and help people with special needs I wish they had something like this where I lived
This is beautiful. I'm an atheist, I know that turns off a lot of believers but I do a lot of this kind of work for UNICEF every summer and I am so thrilled to see a church group do this! I wish so many more would, what a beautiful example of the loving Jesus you worship, we would need so much less government assistance if churches used their tithes and time helping people like this.
+FeelTheLack. Ironically, the very same thing that makes them want to help. Also limits those they are helping. No romance, none have a decent level of freedom etc. In Norway 20% of people with downs live by themselves, but are supported by the government indirectly. Obviously some have such a level of retardation that they wouldnt be able to, but within religious people everything is black or white. A fundamentalist mindset.
AMEN!!!
I have a son whos got cerabalpaulsy and hes got learning disabilities. My son is remarkable and amazing. My son is precious, and if his dad was still alive today he would be most proud of our son.
How wonderful places like this exist for these special people! They deserve to have a good time just like everyone else!
Sean needs to know that he is valued.
I hope this place is still around
This made me feel whole. Love the support in this video.
Great doc, I know a lot of mentally challenged people, and at the end of the day, theyre usually like everyone else.The only difference is that they are slower mentally than the rest of us, other than that they CAN function like others. I think its important that people are aware of the difference between being mentally challenged and having learning difficulties,too. Cause while the former may be true, the latter often isnt.
There so innocent and full of happiness amazing
A very heart touching video that is filled with compassion.
You are right man
Disabled people are human beings too like us. Telling ya the truth i'm disabled. But people that put stupid comments bout making fun of disables are heartless. Smh -_-
Yeah ok
@Christina Reynolds weak people. LMAO
@@Tyreece190 You are freaking idiot
You don't really believe that making fun of people is wrong or you'd never tell another joke about anyone or anything in your life. You believe: 1.[take category: jokes] 2.[pick out most vulnerable] 2.[jeer].
Dude, you are what you pretend to hate.
Jokes about the disabled seem more wrong but they're not more wrong than any other joke.
@@Tyreece190
Shut the fuc up
That old lady is really sweet.
this is wonderful to open up eyes to people who are different
the moment with Sean and Dianna was beautiful.
Beautiful doc. Wonder how Jeff's child turned out in the end, not that it matters, just would be interesting.
What a great film. Well done, clear and very much engaging. Typically, films like this can tend to be boring and hard to follow. Thank you for doing this. We ALL need to be watching -- it serves as a reminder to be humble and to walk with grace.
I find this documentary quite fascinating and every so often I come back and re-watch it. When it ends I find myself curious as to what everyone (both campers and companions) from this film are up to now (I didn't go looking for their personal social media just a disclaimer 😂) however I believe I was able to find the campsite on google maps and it appears to be permanently closed I don't know if it closed due to covid or maybe just ran out of funding. Maybe if this documentary gets more views Kent would be willing to talk about the behind the scenes making of this documentary? Lastly I think It's cool he still makes the odd post every so often. (as of this comment his last post was 4 months ago.)
They is a cool video right on. More power to them
I will say, based on older videos I’ve seen about horrible asylums, peoole with disabilities were treated like dirty diseased animal, that had no rights, they were never complimented or given a chance to do anything in life. It’s nice to see THAT camp and other camps, treat people with disabilities as though they are just another person in society, and not like some diseased creature that needs to be locked away and forgotten about!
Wow, what a great documentary.
Sean got the last dance with Dianne that was everythin right there. I am not even mentally handicapped & I been alone all my life but I'm a vicious addict, these people really made me feel grateful that all types of peeps can experience a good time. Usually I'd be laughing calling them names but I done changed mane, fact.
Thanks for helping these people. We must work together to cure disabilities.
I would volunteer a whole summer there! my kids would love too also
Bonnie has star potential on youtube. I want to know more about her!
I think this is a very nice documentary and the way the companions act around the mentally disabled is very nice
Thank you for sharing.......♡♡
I have experience working with people with disabilities and I have one myself and love working with them I can re late to them understand there needs ♥️
This is a great video thank you for sharing:).
I love that Shawn beat the chap with the master's degree at checkers (or draughts as we call it in the UK and Australia). There is a lot more to these people than many people realise.
I actually enjoyed this video. I am getting ready to start a new job on Monday and I think I will be interacting with several adults and children with various disabilities. It will be a challenge, but rewarding, as I currently graduated from community college in the medical office administration field. It was very heart tugging for me. I can relate to Jeff, because one of his biggest fears was something that happened to me. My child was not born with Tuberous Sclerosis; one month after birth.
That beginning scene was heavy stuff.
I wonder what became them?
My brother is gay and has autism and . I go through the same thing with him . He wonders why he can’t meet another male that’s gay and disabled
Lol Diane was hoping Bonnie wouldn't whack her fingers with that hammer
God is great. He makes the people with intellectual disabilities unaware of their problems and proud to accomplish any task. They don't get depressed! (except smarter disabled people). Running in a race makes them happy. They're here to teach us to be happy with what we accomplished no matter how small.
There's love here!"Well the Moon is broken and the sky is cracked " Come on up to the House""The only thing that you can see, is all you lack to be" Come on up to the house""All your cryin won't do you no good " Please come on up to the house""So come down off that cross, we can use the wood" Come on up to the house""Well,there's no light in the tunnel, no irons in the fire" Come on up to the house""And your singing lead Soprano in a Junkmans choir"Come on up to the house""Does life seem nasty,brutish and short" Please come on up to the house""The Seas are stormy and you can't find no Port " Come on up to the house"To find out the World is not my home, I'm just passing throughYou must come on up to the house!
Tom Waits
"Come on up to the House." I knew this had to be written by Tom Waits even before I reached the end. To love him is to know him.
Where is this camp at?? We live in Lower Michigan USA my sister and my Aunt Are Handicapped Disabled. Be cool to have them go to this camp ❤️
I would love to have been able to go to a camp like this, I went to camps when I was a kid but because of my leaning disabilities I was always made fun of and told by the other kids that I never should been allowed in the camps and that I should have should stayed home, I remembered one kid told me I should I was a loser after she told me that I told her that she was the loser and she was a bully and my parents loved me just the way I am, I’m wondering how to get in touch with this camp because I would love to go, I didn’t go to camp much after the run in with that girl from that camp, this camp seems to be real fun and may help me, I don’t have opportunities to make friends where I live and with my mom and don’t have any opportunity with dating or anything like this, so please can you send me some information on this camp, thanks.
Does anyone know where Sean and Bonnie are today?
Thats awesome I wish I could govthere
Wow thank you ! I learned a lot from this documentary
such joy.
God has nothing to do with life on earth, its like an ant farm. God just lets things develop on their own. If God does interfere its a miracle and that is even acted out by a PERSON. However the spirit of God is developed and present inside each person. The grace you feel, is your own soul moving towards God.
Answer for the "non-Christian" guy: God isn't cruel. The fact that you think that he is cruel for these people being this way tells others that you view them in a bad light. They're blessed individuals that God made special and blissfully happy. Satan hurts people, think about that next time.
He needs to go on his own as a disabled person to meet new people like me. I was married and I had children who are grown up as adults. I’m a widow now.
what happened to your husband
Glad things changed. I support many couples who have ds or other conditions live in community homes of small groups to individual homes. Many couples have got good sexual safe relationships and many married ciuples. And most love a good fulfilled life. Jobs and friends the same as anyone. Wonder how Sean and Bonnie are 11 years on.
When was this documentary produced?
I don't understand I would absolutely love to have a place like this where I could go to help these folks for a week
I wanna do that. I wanna work with these people!
this is so touching.
You all have big heart
first minute:
"he's wondering why he can't fall in love. why he can't find somebody like I did. He thinks he's lonely and just doesn't seem to have much meaning in life"
SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME
So whos telling these guys not to do this?! I cant imagine anyone, even bullies, saying such things.
"What's it like when you find out your child has a disability?"
Here's a better question: What's it like for the actual person who has a disability? Where are they consulted in any of this? Why does the documentary focus on companions rather than campers? Shouldn't the campers themselves have been more at the helm of this whole thing?
It seems like lots of people want to talk ABOUT people with disabilities, but don't respect them enough to talk TO them.
Yeah that tends to happen a lot.
And what did you DO this past summer to help and be a friend to these people? Seems all you likely do is sit back and criticize those who are digging in and doing the work. There's a lot of that disease going around this country of late!
Continuing my last reply:
Also, I have a twin brother with Autism and he is 22 years old. He is the most easy going person there is and everyone that meets him loves him. Not all adults with special needs are the same. I work with adults who are disabled and love each of them because they just want someone who will accept them for who they are.
I’d volunteer for a camp like this
I want to go there.
do you have to take a college course to work at a place like this? i'm falling in love with that one little lady with the hat. sooo cute
Good people ♥️♥️
A young man in serious thought over a game of checkers. The look on his face says what’s my next move on the board?
ANYWAY, now that I've spent 30minutes scolding the meanies who feel oddly threatened by human bonding....I just want to say thanks! Great film. I'm on here looking for editing and storyboard tips for similar subject. Very well done. I cried at the dance.....so good. You might Google that link I sent to Fred Sanford in illinois. Its on the subject of forming friendships between disabled and non disabled persons including the challenges and clinical value. You'll like it. THANKS FOR MAKING THIS IMPORTANT FILM. LOVE IT!
Unlikely Alliances
Friendship & People with Developmental Disabilities
John O'Brien & Connie Lyle O'Brien
Is this a series? I wish it was:(
I would like to volunteer for this camp
I want to help out hear
I think it is brilliant idea for people with special needs and I used to do respite
22:35 i got a new boy now! stand up boy!
thanks for sharing i want to help my nephew enjoy our beautiful island here in Mariana Islands;|~~~
God Bless you all with Down Syndrom Respect 😉🙏🏡😉🌎😉😊🌄💜👍😁💖😘🌸😙💗😄😚😇😄🌹😍💓💐💞❤🗻💞🙏
Haha Checker champ. Cool vid
bonnie (i think) is hilarious!
This is good
the nurse had the right answer.
Continued:
I feel that they can be much more appreciative than kids, which is why I prefer working with the adults! I just wanted to give you a little insight from someone who works with these types of adults daily, so that your judgement may be a little repaired from forming an opinion over watching this one video.