June 15, 1999

Dr. David Lovelock
Program Access: Summer Camp 1999
University of Arizona
Dept. of Mathematics

Dear David, Faith, Bruce, Deb, and the wonderful
team who made Program Access a reality:

I begin by apologizing that I am not naming each
one of you individually, but be assured I
appreciate the contribution and effort you made. I
have thought a lot about what it is that made your
camp so wonderful for my son Justin as well as his
fellow campers. To say you changed my son's life
is not hyperbole. When I brought Justin to camp 2
weeks ago, I entered with a disabled child. Two
weeks later, I am going home with an able child
who happens to have challenges in life. He has
gone from withdrawn and frustrated to friendly
with other children and excited about learning.
You have taught him more in 2 weeks than you will
ever know.

In terms of academics, Justin would never have
been exposed to higher levels of math or science,
because he struggles with visual processing. (In
fact, Justin did not enter school until age 8
because he was still so physically impaired.
Because of lack of oxygen at birth, he was
cortically blind, spastic, unable to hold his head
up, and unable to speak until, age three, when one
day he spoke in complete sentences, and hasn't
stopped yet.) This does not mean he cannot learn,
but that teaching him requires creative thinking
and a commitment to helping him learn in a manner
which works for him. He is forever behind his
peers academically, in terms of classroom
experience. You cannot imagine the pride Justin
takes in knowing that he has just spent 2 weeks at
a camp taught by professors, graduate students,
and caring volunteers who appreciate his
intelligence. Justin is rarely able to surpass his
'normal' peers in terms of life's experiences. You
have changed that for him.

For me, the parent, the impact has been equally
profound. For the most part, we parents of
children with handicaps are 'walking wounded'. The
emotional pain is severe and lasting. We worry
about our children's future. The real world does
not generally welcome those who are different with
open arms. You have, and I thank you from the
bottom of my heart. So, what is it that you have
done that is so valuable? You have changed my
son's perception of himself. You have shown him
possibilities he never knew existed. Please don't
stop what you are doing.

With sincerest gratitude,
Carol M. Johnson.