Camphill Hudson is a place of wonderment. The people make it so.
When our Shield Board President, Beth Anisman, suggested a field trip this summer, we took her up on it and drove two hours north to the Dumbo-like hipster town of Hudson, NY.
The small building on Warren Street is deceiving. In our half-day visit, we met Bill, Elias, Allyson, Lori, Chris, Rachel, Nicholas, Sean, Annie, Erika, Roy, Michael, Kam, Teanna, Rena, Kelly and Petra. No one lives more than 7 minutes away, by foot. Everyone gathers in the morning to start the day together, to be counted, and to be counted on. Meals are communal, and healthy, and everyone pitches in. People's feelings matter, people's talents are nurtured, and community plays a huge part.
Camphill Hudson 'gets' inclusion in a way that is both simple and... inspiring. The whole philosophy is based on an understanding that people are people - and just as it is with The Shield: differences unite us.
Sometimes we need to get outside ourselves for some old fashioned inspiration. It helps to be reminded that with all the daunting challenges facing our communities of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, there's also an awful lot going on that's right and good.
Thank goodness for CampHill Hudson. Thank goodness for The Shield.
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