Transition Program success stories

PROVEN SUCCESS

Dr. Eric Maskin is a 2007 Nobel Laureate and one of our National Campaign Chairs. His son Joseph is a Transition Program graduate. Dr. Maskin says “I have considerable personal experience with the Transition Program because my son attended there from 2005-2008. Joseph is brain-damaged from an epileptic seizure he suffered at age four. He is profoundly impaired cognitively and physically, and yet thanks to its nurturing environment, the Program was able to foster the social and personal skills he needed to gain a place in a superb adult community. I am happy to say he is thriving there.”

Charlie’s story

Charlie was ten when he came to Camphill. He faced many challenges, including severe epilepsy, partial paralysis and blindness, and brain damage. Charlie’s story isn’t a story of disability though. Charlie changes everyone he touches with his huge heart, devotion to friends, dedication to work, and incredible sense of humor.

Charlie thrived as a student at our school, but questions surrounded his transition from teenage to adult life. Who would support his needs and enable him to bring his gifts to the world?

At age eighteen, Charlie was one of six pioneers who founded the Transition Program in 2002. Three years later he returned to California to live independently with Gregory, a coworker from our program. They live in Santa Cruz and Charlie volunteers at Camphill California.

At Beaver Farm, every success story has a name, a heart, and a face behind it.

All about Aaron

My son Aaron, who is severely autistic and mentally retarded, was a student at Camphill Special School’s Transition Program for three years.

Before coming to Camphill Special School, Aaron’s educational placements included other state-approved private schools and even home-schooling, as our local school district was unable to meet his various needs in our public schools.

Aaron’s progress at Camphill was nothing short of miraculous. The school’s safe, supportive environment and unique educational philosophy and pedagogical approaches allowed him to function at a level far surpassing what he was able to achieve in other places.

He benefitted tremendously from the Transition Program and achieved a very suitable adult placement. Transition services are sorely needed to help bridge the gap between the school years and adult services, and Camphill Special School is leading the way in this regard.”

                                James D. Herbert, Ph.D.
                                Professor of Psychology
                                Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
                                Drexel University