Since 1975, the month of March has been reserved for National Intellectual Disability Week. Dedicated to those with an intellectual disability, this celebratory week is meant to increase disability awareness, educating people about both hidden and obvious disabilities, and the importance of having an understanding of both the former and latter.
Within our own community, Melissa’s Sunshine Camp will be honouring National Intellectual Disability Week with an exhibition at Huntingdon’s The Little Green Library. Titled “I Am Unique”, the showcase will kick off on the 12th of March at 2:00 P.M., concluding on the 19th of March. The pieces, which are works of art of varied mediums, have been produced by the members of Melissa’s Sunshine Camp. They explore the world of the students, while honouring both the time and effort that the artists have put into their work. “This exhibition aims to discover people who, despite their handicaps, are like us—to better know their intellectual disability and break any stereotypes associated with people living with an intellectual difficulty,” explains MSC Special Education Technician Sonia Viau.
In honour of the week, Viau and the organization’s Social Animator Heidi Niven, will be active on social media, especially on the non-profit’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/campsoleildemelissa, sharing information about people living with an intellectual difficulty.
According to Viau, the mission of Melissa’s Sunshine Camp mission is to provide activities and respite services for persons with intellectual disabilities with or without autism (ASD). For the past two years, Melissa’s Sunshine Camp has been located at 24 York Street in Huntingdon. Open Monday to Friday, the center offers services and activities for clients aged 21 years and over, as a result of a partnership between the CSSS and HAECC. With 45 active members, the camp has been active since 1993. Originally founded by local Mary Shewchuk, the camp was previously hosted on the Shewchuk family farm in Hinchinbrooke, and is named for one of Mary’s daughters, Melissa—who is still a very active member of MSC.
