Not the dream he counted on….

I recall the early days after learning my newborn daughter, Kelly, had Down syndrome. “Maybe she won’t be affected as much as others,” people would say in an attempt to comfort us. But this was unlikely.  Down syndrome carries both a blessing and a curse in that, once you see that typical little face, that…

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Training week…time for Ranch Camp!

Casey & Barry provide orientation for Ranch Camp Hoo boy!  Training week has begun for camp staff.  Everybody’s excited and tired, exhililarated and rattled.  I know the feeling well. Marci, Camp Director Marci, bless her, is our Lead Teacher and Service Coordinator.  She has also taken on the duties of Camp Director for the next…

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Witnesses to their lives

 Kelly, age seven, with wild plums  Jerry told me last night that he’d talked with a grandmother who’d gotten in touch with the Ranch wanting to donate several hundred dollars from sales of the book she wrote about her young grandson.  Of course we were delighted, and want to see that book, too. I woke…

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New guys on the Ranch

Clyde, back row second from right, and Tom, front row right I stopped by the Pavilion to check on “the new guys,” who aren’t new yet but are doing their trial week. Trial week is a chance for prospective residents and the Ranch to find out if we’re a match for each other.  Most have come to…

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