After spending eight hours in the Philadelphia airport (a long, boring story), we landed in Birmingham and are now at one of our favorite places—Hope Heals Camp.

Before we left home, Penny wrote about camp and why she looks forward to it every year. Here’s Penny in her own words…
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Q: Our family flies down to Alabama to participate in Hope Heals camp every year. For someone who hasn’t been to Hope Heals camp before, can you describe it?

PENNY:
Yes. The founders of Hope Heals have an incredible journey/story that you should read about someday. Hope Heals is a camp where any family affected by disability can come to gather and celebrate with each other in the midst of a massive heat wave.

☀️
Q: Why would anyone want to go to Alabama in July?

PENNY:
* You can make new friends.
* You can share your story.
* There is always a sense of connection and reuniting with others.

🌳
Q: What have you learned about yourself from going to Hope Heals?

PENNY:
* I started to enjoy the book that Katherine and Jay have written about their journey.
* I can make new friends and keep the old.

📝
Q: What have you learned about other people?

PENNY:
Other people want to discover what the Path workshop is. [AJ here… Penny will help me present about PATH this week!]

The Path workshop started in the building of Shepaug Valley High School, and is a process about planning for your future and what your hopes and dreams are now. When we are at Hope Heals my role with the Path workshop is to share my experience with the other people there.

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Q: What have you learned about God?

PENNY:
God is powerful in so many ways.

💙
Q: What have you learned about disability?

PENNY:
There are many different kinds and forms of disability

🌲
Q: What are you looking forward to as we get ready for camp this year?

PENNY:
* Being reunited with all of my staff besties
* Helping Mom with the Path workshop again
* Being a camper and Volunteer
* Talent Show

MORE WITH AMY JULIA:

• Penny in Her Own Words
• Penny in Her Own Words: Senior Prom
• Penny in Her Own Words: What I Want You to Know About My Life
• Penny in Her Own Words: Senior Trip

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