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What Happens Here Changes Lives Forever
Each year Happiness House/Finger Lakes Cerebral Palsy Association continues to advance the educational, recreational, therapeutic, and family support programs and services for children and adults with disabilities. Through our programs we believe "What Happens Here Changes Lives Forever."
Happiness House Celebrates its 10th Annual Camp for Adults with TBI at the Onanda Park:
Happiness House TBI Structured Day Program has been providing a camp experience for adults with Traumatic Brian Injuries for 10 years. Last year we changed our location to Onanda Park on West Lake Road in Canandaigua. We also added an overnight camping experience in the Gorham Lodge.
This year’s camp experience included fishing, digital photography, hiking, bocce ball, drawing, crafts, water balloon toss, handicapped accessible swimming, a scavenger hunt, a “drive-in style” outdoor movie, a campfire with s’mores, and an afternoon of BBQ, music and dancing featuring the Double Take Blues Band. The 2010 TBI camp was made possible by the hard work of the Happiness House staff and volunteers and a generous grant received by the Happiness House Foundation.
Chad received a Brain Injury in 1991 due to a car accident. This didn’t stop Chad from becoming a caring, thoughtful man with a great sense of humor. Sally Stallsworth (Chad’s mom) remembers a specific time in the hospital right after the accident:
"…after Chad's accident I was told for three weeks straight that they didn't expect him to live, and my reply to the doctors was: you don't know Chad like I know Chad, he will make you all liars. And he did."
Chad moved back to the Finger Lakes area and started coming to Happiness House in February of 2009. That summer he attended our Traumatic Brain Injury camp and was eager to come back again this year. Chad’s mom Sally Stallsworth said:
"Since he has come back to the Canandaigua area and attended Happiness House, made new friends and contacts, he seems like a happier and healthier guy. The staff at Happiness House have made it possible for him to see he can do things. He loves camp and looks forward to it. I am sure that the camping and a lot of the activities at Happiness House bring and instill life in him."
Chad has a love of the outdoors and is a native of the Canandaigua area. When he was in high school he worked at the gate at Onanda Park so often you would find him gabbing with the grounds keepers and park staff. This year, Chad enjoyed the opportunity to go out for ice cream with some of his old work buddies at the park. When Chad was 3 years old he had a near drowning experience, and he never enjoyed swimming much after that. He had not been swimming in the lake since before his injury, but this year with great determination, he got back into the water. Mrs. Stallsworth added:
"…he has come a long way from what was ever expected of him...His goals and determination have done this for him and his future. As a family; Dad, Sister and I are very, very proud of Chad's accomplishments past and present and we all hope that this continues for him.
Onanda Park is a great facility that has a lift into the lake to make swimming possible for people who could not otherwise get in. Chad and the rest of the campers had a memorable experience and are already looking forward to next year!
Swimming at Happiness House TBI Camp Onanda 2010
Chad
The Hart Family's Story
We would like you to know that there's a place in our community where miracles are performed every day. It's called Happiness House, and the miracle workers are the therapists, teachers, aides and staff that work there.
Our four-year-old daughter, Erin, was born with a rare brain disorder that resulted in significant delays in her gross and fine motor development. At nine months, when many infants start trying to walk, Erin wasn't yet crawling. Not knowing where to turn, we chose Happiness House to perform an evaluation. Their care and concern was impressive and comforting to two first-time parents. At that time, we had serious concerns about whether or not she'd ever be able to walk unassisted.
We were taught various exercises to increase Erin's strength. Gradually, Erin progressed with help from Happiness House staff and our own support network. Gaining strength, Erin learned how to crawl, stand, and walk unassisted by her 3rd birthday. At times, we now have trouble keeping up with the beautiful little girl "who might not walk!" What amazes us is that Happiness House employees treat everyone the same as they've treated our family… Everyone gets the same caring, concerned and competent treatment, in a contagiously positive way! If you want to see smiling faces and hear laughter from kids who face challenges beyond your belief, go to Happiness House. If you want to and are able to help these miracles happen, please donate to this great organization!
We're blessed to have Happiness House for our daughter, and we'll forever owe these amazing people a debt of gratitude. We hope our entire community appreciates the vital, wonderful work performed there. We learned firsthand that "What Happens Here Changes Lives Forever."
~ KELLY AND BILL HART
In this tough economic climate, our children need your support more than ever! Happiness House/Finger Lakes Cerebral Palsy Association continues to work to help make a difference in the lives of families like the Hart family.
Each and every person affected by neurological impairments, autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, mental retardation and traumatic brain injuries, lead fuller, richer lives. Today, you can make an immediate difference* in the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities. Each dollar you send provides programs and services to 1,000 families annually and remember: "What Happens Here Changes Lives Forever".
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