INCLUSION GIVES DANIELLE COOPERMAN
A Place to Belong
Thirteen year-old Danielle Cooperman began participating with NSSRA
through Inclusion back in 2011. Paired with two different Inclusion
companions over her first four summers, Danielle was matched with her
third companion, Molly Avery, in the summer of 2015 after a particularly
difficult school year. Molly went on to be Danielle’s buddy at park district
and NSSRA programs for four years, becoming both an advocate and
trusted friend for Danielle, giving her security at camp to feel safe and try
new things with her peers. Their story illustrates the transformative power
of Inclusion for kids with special needs.
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In addition to park district summer camps, this year Danielle also took
a trip to Madison with NSSRA, participated in Kitchen Creations over
the summer, and went to Camp Duncan for the second time. Read on
for an excerpt of our interview with Molly. Read the full interview, and
more from Danielle’s mom, Dena, at www.nssrafoundation.org.
How did you come to work with NSSRA and how were you
matched with Danielle? I started with NSSRA just after I turned 16. The first two
years I was with one participant and in my third year I was paired with Danielle.
The first year with Danielle was a bit challenging. She was coming off a not-so-good
school year and she was very afraid to be anywhere without me. The goal that first
summer working with her was to help her feel safe and be included. I have to say, from
the time I started working with her to now she has changed. She has become so
independent.
After working with Danielle and the Cooperman family for several
summers, what are some of your favorite memories or experiences?
Without question, Camp Duncan in August 2017 stands out as one of my best memories
with Danielle. I think the rock climbing wall at Camp Duncan proved a point for her to
all those people who have said, “No, you’re not going to be able to do this,” or “No, you
can’t do this.” Well, she climbed the rock wall at Camp Duncan without any help!
Is there a moment between you and Danielle that stands out as key in
building your relationship together? I think just always greeting her each day
with a smile. When I opened the door and got her out of the car each morning, I wanted
her to feel safe and feel like she was going to have a great time at camp.
She would always tell me, “You’re my buddy, I love you, Molly!” It’s just those things that
go so far, and it melts my heart to see her happy and playing with her friends. Even this
past summer, I just took a step back and she would be off with her friends playing a game
and not even notice that I wasn’t right there with her. The consistency of just showing
up every day positively put her at ease and gave her a chance to feel comfortable trying
new things.
Read more from Molly and Danielle’s mom, Dena, at www.nssrafoundation.org