Today the entire Camp ASCCA family is saddened to learn of the passing of Allison Wetherbee.
For the past 38 years, Allison has embodied the spirit of Camp ASCCA. For many of us she is the first person we think of when telling the Camp ASCCA story.
As both a camper and a full-time employee, Allison had a unique perspective of the impact Camp ASCCA had on her life and the lives of others — campers, counselors, parents and so many more.
Those of us that had the honor to know her and love her know that Allison had a unique and uplifting impact on our lives.
Memories and condolences have been coming in from around the country. Counselors and others that knew Allison share their memories.
Kim Berry Williams, who worked with Allison in the 1980s, writes, “In my mind Allison had superpowers” and was going to live on way past me! I remember my first thought when I met Allison was that she had to be the most inspirational person for every camper that graced camp ASCCA! Her very presence was inspiring, not to mention her beautiful smile!”
Helene Goldson, who worked at ASCCA in PR and was her caregiver, recalls Allison’s feelings about mortality. Helene recalls “how she knew she would finally be able to hug back, in her heaven.”
Donette Mullinix, who was her first counselor at ASCCA, writes, “I am in shock and heartbroken…not for her, because without a doubt I know what her relationship with Jesus was and where she is. She is healthy and complete and rejoicing but I know for her family this is a huge loss. What a legacy she leaves! It is immeasurable how many lives she has touched and inspired!”
“I believe it was in 1979 when Allison first came to camp as a seven year old and I was her first counselor. What a precious gift to watch her fall in love with Camp ASCCA and the people there! She embraced everyone and every activity she was challenged with. From the time I was 20, she has continually inspired me in how I have viewed people with disabilities and my teaching. This I know, she loved people and the Lord and she’s in His presence.”
“Like Donette, I am just heartbroken for her family. What a beautiful legacy she leaves behind,” writes former activities director Lynn Ann Palmer.
“She was definitely the kind of camper that made you want to come back to work summer after summer,” says counselor Cheryl Britton. “My happiest memory of Allison was seeing her whizz around camp in her electric wheelchair. She was so inspirational to me.”
“What I remember is her smile. Allison’s infectious smile! May God offer His peace to her family,” writes Diane Woodard Mason. She was Cheryl’s roommate and ASCCA’s evening program director when they both fell in love with Allison.
Kerri McIntosh Bailey, one of ASCCA’s earliest counselors and head counselors, writes, “When I read Donette’s comment I pictured her now…running and laughing. But we will all miss her so. What a determined spirit she had. She inspired so many, including me.”
“She is such a huge part of all of our camp experiences,” writes former counselor A. J. Doody. He remembers Allison from her teenage years at ASCCA. “I could not imagine being at camp without her. Our loss is heavens gain because that Angel can fly now!”
“I think one of my favorite memories of Allison was her fearless outlook on life. When I was the lifeguard, she decided she wanted to jump off the diving board. I could imagine all kinds of “things”
happening – but Donnette said she would catch her – I don’t remember who “dropped” her off the board, but I do remember her looking up and smiling. And I can see her that way now – looking up and smiling,” writes Judy Williams, one of Camp ASCCA’s original counselors, shares, “Let’s keep her spirit and love for camp with us.”
The world lost a giant today. Allison, we will miss you dearly. You made us all better by sharing your life with us.
To ease the family’s stress during this time we are calling upon the Camp ASCCA Family to help. Let’s give back and remove one of the painful aspects for any family when we lose a loved one. Camp ASCCA asks those who are able to please contribute to this meaningful cause in order to assist the Wetherbee family during their time of mourning. Visit the Allison Wetherbee Memorial Page here.
Located in Alabama on Lake Martin, Camp ASCCA offers campers a wide variety of traditional recreational and educational activities with a unique design for accessibility.
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