The Power of One in a Woman Named Anya

Do you ever feel like you are not good enough or special enough to do something? Well let me tell you about someone who was able to do something big, even though she did not think she could.

Anya is a camp director in Russia. She had in her heart a great desire to start a camp for disabled children because they did not have the chance to enjoy life like children without disabilities. Anya knew how hard it was to be a disabled child growing up in Russia because she herself is severally physically disabled. Anya said that for many years, she was despised and rejected by men, and the world did not value her. She had to overcome the low self image others had tried to make her believe, in order to make her dream come true. By doing so, she was able to start a camp for children with the same condition as her. Now disabled children in Russia have a chance to realize someone loves them and wants to challenge them to do great things.

Anya wants to share some of her camp children with you, in order for you to better understand the difference one person can make if they just believe it can happen. If after reading about Anya's children, your class and/or school would like to send a child to Anya's camp as a class project, contact Marquita Stottern at marquitas@skyranch.org.

	Oxana has a mild CP (Cerebral Palsy). Her mom has died when Oxana was 2 years old. The sister of her mother has adopted her and does everything possible to treat Oxana's disability. Oxana is fortunate to have a sister and loves coming to camp.
	Lena is a very outgoing girl. She lives with her mother and is home schooled; therefore, her opportunities to have friends are very limited. She loves camp so much, she says she never wants to leave it. Lena has CP and can't walk.
	Julia has been coming to camp since the first session four years ago. Julia loves coming to cam, and explained, "When I am there, nobody makes fun of me, I feel excepted, and I am happy to be at camp. Julia goes to the local school; however, her mother has to attend school with her because the school does not make accommodations for children with disabilities. There are just two schools for special needs children in Saint Petersburg, which is a town of 5,000'000 people.
	Grisha is VERY sociable and he loves make up the stories. He goes to the school for the children with CP. Grisha told us, "I can't walk so I can not go for a walk often in the city, but at camp I can be outside whenever I want to. Camp gives me freedom I don't have at home and I really enjoy being at camp".
	Oleg is home schooled. He likes cartoons and he loves to talk. He and Grisha are good friends and communicate often by phone. During Oleg's first stay at camp, he learned to button his clothes.
	Rodion is our oldest camper. He is 16 now. Because of his CP, he has a speech problem, but he especially enjoys associating with people. He makes some money by selling newspapers. "I'd like to earn enough money for a small house on the beach for my mom and myself," Rodion explained. Like most kids in America, he loves the internet and has learned to make Flash e-cards as well.
	Peter and Diana are friends. Peter learned about our camp from Diana. Petter is dwarf who smiles a lot and never complains. Peter and Diana enjoy  attending a theatre workshop. Unfortunately, Diana has a very dysfunctional family. Her father does not live with them and her mother doesn't spend much time at home, thus, the childern are frequently home alone. "My brother kept saying that our mom doesn't love us. I ran away and spent three days at my friend's house so mom would prove her love to me," Diana explained two years ago.
	Natasha can't talk or use her hands, but she can paint with her mouth and foot. She has a younger sister and a loving family. Natasha also likes listen the stories, and sleep with her favorite toy.
	Pasha loves soccer, loves talking about it, and is a passionate soccer player. He is a goalkeeper on his school team. Pasha lives with his mother and her sister. He can walk with a walker but it is very hard for him.
	Artem is good friend of Pasha. They are classmates at school. Artem helps Pasha to carry things around at school and Pasha helps Artem to master his classes. Artem did not really want go to camp his first summer but now he has huge camp fan.
	Roma is a very joyful kid. He smiles and laughs a lot. He spends many hours by himself at home while his mother is gone to work. He spends most of his times watching television. His loves watching the sport 's channel. Camp is a great way for him to be outdoors.
	Varya can not walk and can hardly can use her hands. Dhe grabbles very fast; however, she wants to be independent. She is very good at making her bed and keeps her clothes always in a good order.