Moms of the kids at the MTU Camp in July

I just realized that I had not posted this blog about the moms at the MTU camp in July. So I wanted to share a little of their stories with you. Athletic, fun, stressed, committed, overworked, loving, dedicated, frustrated, supportive, beautiful—these are just a few words that I would use to describe them. This camp provided them with a little break from the daily stresses and cares associated with having a disabled child.

In Ukraine there is a stigma attached to a family with a disabled child. These mothers shared that they were often told by family members, friends and even medical doctors and nurses that their child was a result of some sin in their lives. Every one of them said this had happened repeatedly. People often said terrible things to them and most of them had encountered pressure from others to put their children in an institution. A good number of the father’s had divorced their wives and wanted nothing to do with the child. Several had been told by physicians that they were too busy to take time for the disabled child and the mothers would just have to deal with any physical problems themselves.

The camp situation provided them with a support group of peers who had also been through many of the same things. It was probably the first time that a number of them had the opportunity of sharing their challenges with other mothers. Also, Cindy, an American who has helped with these camps for several years, presented worship talks and encouraged the ladies to share with each other. I was privileged to give a talks on a couple of the days and to listen to their heart-breaking stories. It opened my eyes to a whole other world.

There were enough staff and volunteers to care for each of the children in wheelchairs and to fairly well provide a lot of one-on-one time with all the children. The mothers were called only when their child needed to have a potty break or if some other small problem arose.

On the last day, we had a Special Olympics for the kids. There were more than enough people to help so Richard and I went around taking pictures and watching the different groups. The last station had a kind of relay area where the participant hit a shuttlecock with a badminton racket, tossed a basketball back and forth three times, threw some rings onto a stand, went backwards about ten yards, threw a Frisbee and tied and untied knots in a jump rope. If the child could not do it, their caregivers helped them or did it for them. After the last group of kids left, several of the mothers tried out the relay course. They were laughing and Richard commented, “Their faces were smiling and radiant, making them look like young, happy girls again.”

A few of the moms had been at camp before and four or five of them had become Christians as a result of those past camps. At least two women gave their hearts to Christ during this camp and the other Christian moms were right there to mentor and support them. It was beautiful. I know God is preparing a special place for these kids and their parents in His Kingdom. I want to be there to see the smiles and watch these mothers running and playing with their children.