Local not-for-profit charity Breakaway, held yet another successful family camp for children with high medical needs and their families on 25th –27th March 2011, at San Remo.

Breakaway’s Jodie Davis, stated “caring for a child with disability, especially one that requires high medical needs, is a very demanding role.  It often leaves parents physically and emotionally exhausted.  A respite break gives parents some much needed time out, while all their children’s needs are taken care of.”  She added “the children with the disability and their siblings are entertained and cared for by our dedicated volunteers, while we pamper the parents.  Our unique family model of respite has been a wonderful success story and is now in it’s 10th year.”

One of the most important outcomes of the camp is the chance to meet other families in a similar situation.  No one understands like another family in the same position. Having a child with a disability can be very isolating, so it’s vital for these families to get out to meet other families.  During the camp they built support networks and friendships that will last long after the camp ends.

This weekend camp welcomed 12 families from the Central Coast, Sydney and the Hunter areas, with a wide range of disabilities.

At the camp the parents have their own separate areas and enjoyed massages, karaoke, time out, a trip to the hairdressers in a limousine for the Mum’s and golf for the Dads.  The children loved the Liberty Swing, crafts, games, entertainment, singing, dancing, a camp fire and a variety of outdoor games.

Mrs Davis commented “we sincerely wish to thank our major sponsors masoniCare and 2GO’s Give Me 5 for Kids, for their generous support of this camp, they have made this High Needs family camp possible.”

Breakaway is an award winning* not-for-profit organisation, committed to enhancing the lives of children and adults with disabilities.  We rarely receive government funding.  However, the community and more than 300 dedicated volunteers ensure our commitment to supporting people with disabilities.