Showing posts with label Camp Simcha. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Camp Simcha. Show all posts

Friday, January 11, 2013

Daven for Danielle

I met Danielle this summer in camp. Despite being paralyzed on one side of her body, Danielle exuded an energy that was so vibrant and bright. She took everything in stride, was never without a smile, or without a crazy colorful wig. To say she lit up a room when she entered would not be an understatement. Daniella, even though she was suffering, was full of life.
But now Danielle is hanging on for dear life. She is currently on life support and the doctors want to take her off. The video below is the news story about her current situation.

But a life is infinite. Danielle's life is infinite. To take her off life support would be the cruelest thing, and as Orthodox Jews, this decision must be fought.
Here is a picture of Danielle in camp.

Please daven for Danielle to have a COMPLETE refua- Danielle Chaya bas Aviva

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

The Magic Burns Bright

The days drifted to an end
And hearts were heavy with wonder
What would happen to it all
The magic of this summer?

The last bus left
But we left our hearts behind
Still a sense of hope
Slipped into our minds

Because when there is so much love
And so much to give
You learn that although it's difficult
Fond memories can be relived

The fight continues
Every day, it's a battle field
But you have an army of friends
Who will never let you yield

With laughter, joy and constant support
They stand by you every moment of every day
They are the ones with the power
To take the pain away

The magic still exists
There are those who perform it with care
A constant glow sparkles in the night
A reminder that friends are always there

Sometimes it's hard
And you want to give up and give in
But we stand by you firmly
Child, you will win

And while we stand to fight for you
You give us the power to persevere
Until we are all together dancing
In Yerushalayim, IYH, this coming year.

Friday, August 27, 2010

The Place Where My Heart Stand Stills

Here I stand
At the place where my heart stops beating
I catch my breath for a moment
And feel the rush of the wind
The shining sun.
For a moment
Peace reigns
In heaven on earth.

Safety surrounds
There is no bad here
Bliss, joy, protection
And love.
It is here
That my heart stand stills.

I think of you
Those who make my heart melt
And give me the strength to keep going
When I can't
You're courage
Is empowering.


I dream of you
Your paved roads
And radiant smiles.
There is something safe in knowing
That you are able to smile
When all the odds are against you
And that makes me realize
That things aren't so bad.


And when I am feeling down
Needed a boost to go forth
I'll think of you
And how you're thinking of this same place
And then everything will somehow be ok

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Waving Flags

I posted previously about Camp Simcha's trip to New York and their fabulous dance routine in Times Sqaure. Now, check out the JUST RELEASED music video! It's AMAZING!

Friday, July 23, 2010

The Magic Comes to New York

If I had any words for this post, I would write them. But I don't. Here's why....

Camp Simcha is truly magical. The work they do, the love they show, the joy they share is truly incredible. Lives changed that day. I guarantee it.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Just Keep Swimming

Have you ever watched a child swim,
Diving deep beneath the water's brim?
Have you seen their joy as they find themselves weight-free
And their expression reads, "Can this really be?"

With each stroke and kick, a little farther they go
For all who watch, they see a fabulous show
Of a child realizing their own strength and might
And their pure innocence is rare beam of light

Now imagine a child who has never experienced moving on their own
They cannot function or do anything alone
Constant care surrounds them each day
And to act on their own, there is no way

In their bodies, like prisoners they remain
Though in their mind, they are one hundred percent sane
They see the world through saddened eyes
Cuz hardly anyone notices to realize

But here they come to place
Where everyone delights to see their face
Ablaze with happiness and ecstasy
And for a time, they are in a fantastical reality.

So when they enter the waters wave
To their own body they are no longer a slave
To you and me, this isn't so incredible or great
But for these kids, there is no better feeling, then standing up straight

Thursday, July 15, 2010

What is Wonderland?

"There is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of wonder..."


So I have been blogging about Wonderland for a while... No, I didn't take a trip to the land of bunnies and evil queens. 


I went to Camp Simcha.


For those of you who don't know, Camp Simcha is a camp for kids with debilitating chronic conditions and kids battling cancer. Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special with separate sessions for boys and girls provides two weeks of of relief, fun, and pure joy like no other place in the world. (Check out their brand new website www.campsimcha.org)


And while my job was behind the scenes and difficult, I still saw the true fantasy that comes to life for a summer there. The never ending smiles, the singing, the shows, the love and the happiness.


Just being there, the gorgeous grounds is enough to put someone on a high. Then the kids came. The rush, the explosion of welcome, was intense, yet powerful. When the kids came off the bus, their lives were changed. 


I went for Camp Simcha Special. The girls in that session have been the way they come to camp since birth. Wheelchairs, walkers, braces... feeding tubes, g-tube... nebulizers... the whole nine yards. And for two weeks, brave young ladies take these children into their hands and care for them. For some, it's easier. For others, it's hard. They go on call for 24 hours... simply to provide life in Wonderland. Imagine if.... imagine if every place was like this one... 


I came home a few days ago and the memories are cemented into my mind. I don't think I will ever leave that place. And I can't wait to go back...

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