Thanksgiving

Bay Cliff News

Sibling Revelry

Getting along with your brother is not always the easiest thingto do, but for brothers Bradley and Alex Haggerty fromManistique, Michigan, they are thankful to have each other.Even though they tease and complain about the other, and areat times rivals, they find it fun to be at camp together.

It’s not unusual for family members to be referred to camp atthe same time. Each summer there’s a fair number of familyconnections that include cousins, brothers, sisters, a combina-tion of brothers & sisters, and yes, twins & triplets! Siblingsenjoy seeing each other at camp and spending time togetherduring activities & events. Sharing a camp experience deep-ens the bond between them. Perhaps because they are twins,Alex and Bradley have grown through childhood relying oneach other for mutual support. Bradley was the first to cometo camp. Alex followed two years later. Both were referredfor speech therapy and occupational therapy by their schooltherapists. This year when they arrived at camp, Bradleyheartily declared, “The Haggerty Boys are back!”

With each summer the brothers have shown steady improve-ment in their communication abilities and everyday livingskills. “Bay Cliff has made me more mature and responsible,”said Bradley reflecting on his six years of camp experience.Alex recalled, “I learned to ride a bike, tie my shoes, and swimin the deep end of the pool.” In the summer of 2013, Alex wasdiagnosed with bone cancer in his right leg. He underwentsurgery last fall to amputate his leg above the knee, andreceived a prosthetic leg in the spring of 2014. Physical thera-py became a priority for Alex this summer at camp to helphim adjust to wearing the prosthesis. He progressed fromusing a wheelchair... to a walker... to crutches... to no supportat all! Smiling, Alex said, “I learned how to walk again.”

Now at 15 years old, the boys have also been involved in theTeen Program. Along with the privileges of being a teen atBay Cliff is the responsibility of holding down a job. Thisaspect of the program is one which the brothers have enjoyedmost. Bradley helped deliver the camp mail and superviserambunctious younger boys. Alex helped supervisepreschoolers and even sang songs with them. He also had thejob of walking out to the front gate of camp to bring back thedaily newspaper - no easy feat as he was learning to use his

prosthetic leg. When it was necessary for Alex to take a 3-dayleave of absence for a follow-up medical appointment, it wasBradley who took over his jobs and made sure they got done.

That’s the kind of reliance the brothers have on each other.They share a family bond, and a common bond of brother-hood. “Sure, they argue,” says their mother Amy. “They arebrothers, after all. But, they are there for each other.” Likeany siblings, they give each other a hard time, and theymake each other laugh. Alex and Bradley Haggerty - the Brothers Grin.

www.baycliff.org

Fall 2014

Brotherly Love – Alex and Bradley Haggerty

Tommy Hodge - 4th summer(Marquette County)

“Bay Cliff makes my life better.In speech, I learned a lot aboutsounds. Doing OT, I learned howto pump up bikes, and now I canblow up my mom’s tires! I alsolearned how to drink milk all bymyself.”

Allesia Van Sloten - 5th sum-mer (Chippewa County)

“Camp has helped me with myseeing ability and reading. Ithas helped me interact withothers. I’m usually kind of shy;I can talk with others here with-out feeling shy. At camp, kidsunderstand me.”

Suzanne Dewald - 2nd summer (Houghton County)

“Bay Cliff has made it better forme to walk. I’m better with mybalance. Camp was so much funlast year that I wanted to comeback.”

Rayna Sherbinow - 9th summer(Schoolcraft County)

“Every year I’m learning newthings. I’ve improved andlearned things that weren’t evengoals. Because we work so hardhere, it transfers to school andhome. Every year I walk homemore normal. At school, peopleonly see the outside. Here, thereis acceptance. It’s the best part.”

Lathan Soumis - 4th summer(Gogebic County)

“Camp has helped me learn to tieshoes, be more independent withshowering and dressing, andhelped me with my balance. Iwas shy at the beginning. Now,I’m more open to people. Myconfidence was boosted.”

Crystal Bourassa - 11th summer(Dickinson County)

“Bay Cliff has taught me how tosay the ‘r’ sound. I learned toswim, and this year I learned howto skip a rock. I learned bike rid-ing here. A friend tried to teachme, and a man tried, too. Bay Cliff finally did.”

Brooke Detiege - 9th summer(Delta County)

“I worked on sentences in speechtherapy, and cooking in OT. BayCliff helped me make newfriends, learn manners like elbowsoff table, swim, plant a garden,and play with others on the playground.”

An Abundance of Abilities...

Draven Hooper - 2nd summer(Marquette County)

“At camp, I learned how to domy ‘s’ sound. Now that I knowhow to do it, it makes me happy.”

The garden at Bay Cliff yielded an abundant harvest this summer. Campers helped plant, nurture, and harvest some of the produce.It was also an ideal place to work on therapy goals for many campers, as demonstrated by Liam Haynes (Marquette County) above.

Like a garden, Bay Cliff Health Camp is a place where kids are nurtured and where they grow in many ways. In their own words, they speak of an abundant harvest of their skills & abilities.

Liz Fleury - 9th summer(Marquette County)

“Walking and running havebecome easier for me. I can asso-ciate with others better; I’m notafraid as much to speak up any-more. I enjoy the Teen Program -more responsibility, more free-dom, and also my first real job.Here, everything is therapy.”

Hayden Meyers - 3rd sum-mer (Marquette County)

“I like riding a bike, tryingbasketball and soccer. I likecrutch club. It’s cool to playsoccer with crutches and bepart of a team.”

Isabelle Anderson - 3rd summer(Gogebic County)

“I say words sometimes, playgames, jump, volleyball, balance.I like pool, swimming, playingwith my friends. I went swim-ming all by myself!”

Morgan Handyside - 5th summer(Chippewa County)

“I’m better at sitting on a chair,dressing myself, and putting footstraps on. I was really nervous inthe beginning. Now, I’m morecomfortable talking with adultsand campers... talking with myfriends.”

Patrick Smith - 3rd summer(Chippewa County)

“I don’t need help anymore with tying my shoes,getting dressed, and gettingmy glasses on & off .”

Trevin Perry - 4th summer(Alger County)

“I learned to share, berespectful, be kind to oth-ers, stuff that begins with‘th’ sound, games, music,and how to be a betterfriend.”

Morghan Contois - 11th sum-mer (Marquette County)

“Therapy at Bay Cliff helps meimprove my walking after everysurgery. My favorite part ofcamp is lifelong friendships.When you live with someoneand eat with someone, it buildsstronger friendships.”

Kayla Smith - 1st summer(Mackinac County)

“Bay Cliff has helped me to learnspeech, sign language, exercisemore, and trying to read cursive.I’ve gotten to do more swim-ming... lots of exercise and play.I’m more mature.”

...As We Grow Together!

Caleb Waterman - 2nd summer (Marquette County)

“Bay Cliff has helped me getbetter at drawing and jumping.I learned songs here. We playtogether and put on a show.”

Caitlyn Ianne - 1st summer (Sun Prairie, Wisconsin)

“Being here has helped me a lot.Already, I can communicate bet-ter. My right hand use is betterand my walking is better. I’mstronger, and I don’t get tired.”

Riley Schalau - 1st summer(Menominee County)

“My favorite part of camp istherapy. I’ve learned bettermanners... sharing.”

Cameron Dubord - 9th summer(Delta County)

“I’ve learned Bay Cliff is an awe-some place for kids. My favoritepart is therapies. PT makes mefeel like I’m getting better andbetter. I’ve learned to makecookies in OT. I think crutch clubsoccer is a wonderful idea.When I first heard about it, itwas like, ‘Crutches? That’s weird.I’m in!’ I like to keep in touchwith my friends. I’ll miss themafter camp.”

Thank you to our friends who have contributed to the 2014 Campership Appeal. We are encouraged byyour generosity!

Last year, thanks to your charitable response, the Appealraised $255,734. We are grateful and will continue ourefforts to be good stewards, with 87% of all funding sup-porting programs and the children. This year, an increaseof $55,000 in donations will allow us to restore the thera-py, program and auxiliary positions that have been elim-inated. If you haven’t yet made a gift to the Appeal, weask for your help!

All funds donated through the Campership Appeal will be used specifically for the Children’s SummerTherapy program. Your donation will help provide daily therapy, medical and dental care, food and lodging, camp activities and 24-hour care and supervision—all part of a typical day!

The cost to serveand care for a child with disabilitiesat Bay Cliff is $120 for a full 24 hour day, $850 for a fullweek and $5,950 for the summer. Parents contributewhat they can afford. This leaves a significant cost thatis funded by many generous individuals who believe inBay Cliff and the futures of the children we serve. Allgifts to Bay Cliff, of any amount, are important and veryappreciated. Working together we can meet the needsof the children.

We hope you will join us and make a gift or pledge to theCampership Appeal. We also encourage you to visit usat www.baycliff.org to learn more about Bay Cliff andhow your support makes a difference.

On behalf of the children who are pursuing their hopesand dreams for the future... Thank you!

Your Help is Needed!

...Will You Join Us?

Bay Cliff’s Campership Appeal...

“The Bay Cliff CampershipAppeal continues to be a vitalpart of our fundraising efforts.Our cadre of donors helps tobuild a sustained revenuesource to assist families whocannot afford the cost of thesummer therapy program.Many years ago, I began my

association with Bay Cliff by participating in the capitalcampaign building effort. Great facilities are importantand basic to our program, but providing a full therapyand supporting staff is critical to meeting the needs ofthe children. My wife, Norma, and I are pleased to pro-vide a full campership pledge and contribution for a 5year commitment. We hope you will join us and makea generous gift!”

Jim Matteson Development Committee Volunteer, Marquette, MI

“Sponsor a Camper”

Bay CliffHealth Camp

Helping the DreamCome True...

2 0 1 4Campership Appeal

7.8%

86.9%

5.2%

Program

Administration

Fundraising

Bay Cliff Health CampP.O. Box 310, Big Bay, MI 49808 • (906) 345-9314 • baycliff@baycliff.org • www.baycliff.org • www.facebook.com/baycliff

Publication costs generously sponsored by an anonymous donor.

Our MissionFor over eighty years, Bay Cliff’sprimary mission has been to improvethe lives of children with physical dis-abilities. Today, Bay Cliff is a therapyand wellness center serving childrenwith every kind of orthopedic,speech, hearing and visual disability.

Through an intensive summer program of daily therapyand traditional camp activities, children learn to becomemore independent and are inspired to believe in them-selves and their potential.

Bay Cliff is a place where special children of all abilitiesare able to pursue their hopes and dreams!

Remember Bay Cliff in Your WillA gift through your will is one of the most meaningful legaciesyou can provide for your family and to Bay Cliff. Your willallows you to provide for your loved ones after your death, andalso is an opportunity to make a wonderful difference for thechildren to pursue their hopes and dreams for the future.

Your gift to Bay Cliff may be expressed in these words:

I give and bequeath the sum of $__________(or ___% of my estate) to Bay Cliff Health Campfor its most important priorities.

More specific instructions may also be provided regardingyour gift. If you would like to learn more about will andbequest opportunities, or if you would like to meet with a BayCliff representative, please contact Bay Cliff Health Camp at(906) 345-9314 or baycliff@baycliff.org.

Additional Ways to GiveDevelopment/Endowment FundBay Cliff Health Camp also has a fund that provides long-terminvestment funds for the camp's program and facility needs.If you would like more information on making a planned giftby will or bequest, memorial, life insurance, annuity or otherspecial gift, please contact the camp office.

Building and Facility ProjectsBay Cliff is tremendously grateful to the more than 2,000donors who have helped us to make major renovations to thecamp facilities. While much has been accomplished, we arestill seeking gifts for several remaining important building proj-ects. We would be pleased to provide more information if youwish to help!

Good StewardshipManaging Resources Responsibly!

Upcoming Bay Cliff Winter Programs

December 29, 2014 Christmas Open HouseBay Cliff Big House

February 20-22, 2015 Winter BlastWinter camp for adults with disabilities

March 6-8, 2015 Snow DaysWinter camp for children with disabilities

Date TBA U.P. Pediatric Therapy WorkshopProfessional development for therapists

Date TBA Preparing for Teen TransitionsNew program for teens and their parents

Percentages from 2013 Bay Cliff AuditMakela, Toutant, Hill & Nardi, PC