A circus and performing arts camp

The Camp Winnarainbow Kids Camp program is driven by its two core philosophies (The Show Show and The Life Show) and all of its activities are designed to reflect their goals.

The Show Show

Our performance philosophy emphasizes taking risks in a physically and emotionally safe environment. Drawing from the world of circus and theatrical arts, we teach timing, balance, and a sense of humor. We honor the creative spirit of each child in an atmosphere of approval and mutual encouragement.

The Life Show

Camp Winnarainbow provides a training ground to nurture leaders for a peaceful, harmonious and sustainable world by teaching responsibility for one’s own behavior and developing confidence, inner security and appropriate self-expression. We encourage respect for oneself, others, and the environment while valuing the uniqueness of each individual, within the diversity of racial, cultural, economic, and religious backgrounds that comprise our camp community.

Patch Adams - the representative of optimism

- ...and how do you keep your optimism Doctor..?

- hmmm... let me tell you this... I have never done anything hard in my life... I have never had any struggle... there is no tension in my life... I believe that if you are you, as the designer made you, made your person good, and then use that person as you decide... is this gonna be hard? How the hell can this be hard..? I have not watched TV for 40 years, I am reading 100-150 amazing books per year, I am exercising 1 hour per day, I love my life, my sons, my work..! Hard is doing what you are not! Hard is working in a job you hate, when you look in the mirror and you do not go "WOW!". When you love yourself, whatever anyone says about you... you do not care... you don't even think about it... because you love yourself and you are wondering how to spend it..!

Visit http://patchadams.org/.

Handicap International

What is Handicap International?

Handicap International is an international, non-governmental organisation, mainly known for its fight against anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions and helping the victims of these unexploded devices. However, its mandate has been extended over the years and today includes providing assistance through work in various fields for people in developing countries with other kinds of disability.

Handicap International primarily focuses on the prevention of disabilities and providing support for people with disabilities by ensuring they can fully take part in social life. The organisation’s interventions are not restricted to long-term development activities. Handicap International also provides support in emergency situations, for instance, in the aftermath of natural disasters and humanitarian crises. Its actions always focus on those suffering from disabilities.

The organisation works as far as possible with the human and material resources available in the country. Its projects are implemented in cooperation with local partners, the objective being to ensure their autonomy in the long-term. All of its actions concentrate on training, raising awareness and the involvement of local communities in its projects.

Village in the Netherlands provides a safe environment for people suffering from dementia

A village in the Netherlands inhabited entirely by elderly people with dementia offers a new answer to how society can deal with its aging population. It's a world without yesterday or tomorrow where residents have far more freedom than they would be allowed in convalescent homes.

Read more here: SpiegelOnlineInternational

The website of this village is this.

Did you know that..?

Did you know Alli Opsi? What is this? What does it mean?

Alli Opsi (which means a “Different View” or the “Other Side” in Greek) is a non-profit association that was founded in Thessaloniki Greece in June 2007 mostly by young people with or without disability.

The main activity of Alli Opsi is to organise Training Camps, addressed at people with quadriplegia or paraplegia mostly caused by spinal cord injury, as well as people with amputation.

The aim of the Camp is to provide people with disability with the necessary means and experiences in order to attain higher level of autonomy. This is achieved through face to face peer support and intensive training.

We believe that accomplishing the highest possible level of autonomy by people with disability is a pre-requisite for achieving a better quality of life.

The initial idea for founding Alli Opsi arose when we became acquainted with the Swedish Non-Profit Organization Rekryteringsgruppen www.rekryteringsgruppen.se.

On average, 30 participants with Tetraplegia, Paraplegia and amputation gather together with 15 leaders with disability and 15 individuals who act as a support group to train new techniques, strength and physical condition, try out numerous activities and exchange knowledge and experiences.

You will be amazed seeing what people on a wheelchare can do and achieve.