Alison Wetherbee at Camp ASCCA

October 10, 2011

www.lakemartinmagazine.com

Photo credit: Alison Wetherbee at Camp ASCCA | Photo by Kenneth Boone

Allison Wetherbee works as the Community Relations Director for Camp ASCCA Easter Seals. Originally from Camden, Ala., Allison graduated from Auburn University in Montgomery with a master’s degree in counseling. She became a mental health therapist in 1996 and worked in that profession for 11 years in Russellville, Ala.

In December 2007, Allison moved to the Camp ASCCA campus on Lake Martin to begin a new profession in public relations. Allison works to raise awareness about Camp ASCCA through the media and by traveling extensively throughout Alabama. She gives presentations for civic clubs, churches and for any group interested in learning more about the camp. Allison has also written an autobiographical book titled, “I Was Born This Way, “ which was released in January 2009.

By the way, Allison was also born with no arms or legs! Despite her disability, she leads an active life through her work, family and friends.

What was your first trip to Camp ASCCA like at age 7?

The first time I came to Camp ASCCA was as a camper in 1978. Camp ASCCA had just opened two years before. The story of my first visit is better told through the eyes of my parents! They were much more concerned than I was. I do remember feeling sad and scared when I told them goodbye.

My Mom assured me that she would write and call every day. She kept her promise. But after about four days worth of phone calls, I finally asked her to stop calling and said, “You’re embarrassing me!” I was having a blast and by the end of that first visit, I think we all knew that any fears we had were unwarranted. I ended up coming back to camp for the next 10 years.

How did Camp ASCCA help you build your own self-confidence?

Failure is a concept not used at Camp ASCCA! If you’re willing to try, a way will be found for you to succeed. So, when I wanted to learn how to “swim” at age 9, Camp ASCCA staff took the time to teach me how to float on my back and propel myself across the water by moving my bottom up and down. And when I left camp that summer, I was telling everybody that I could swim! Confidence building and Camp ASCCA go hand in hand. You can’t really be a camper here without gaining self-confidence.

In your book, “I Was Born This Way,” you describe growing up with a disability. What made you decide to write this book and share your story with others?

I began with writing one short story which ultimately became the first story in my book. I shared it with some friends who encouraged me to write more. From there I began keeping an online blog and much to my surprise, total strangers from all over the world began reading it! They posted comments and sent private messages saying they enjoyed my stories so much that they visited the site every day to see if I had written anything new.

So, writing the book really wasn’t a planned thing. People liked my writing and seemed to be learning from it. The book was a direct result of that blog which is still available online.

Describe your job at Camp ASCCA. How long have you worked there?

I began working at Camp ASCCA in December, 2007. The main goal of my job is to raise awareness of Camp ASCCA and the main way I do that is by giving presentations throughout Alabama. These efforts have been successful in gaining new supporters and recruiting new summer staff and new campers.

What was your major in college and why did you choose that major?

I attended college in the early 1990’s and back then you didn’t see many people with severe disabilities gainfully employed. I tried not to let the seemingly limited options sway my college major decision, but I’m sure it did anyway. I remember asking myself, “What can I do?”

My answer was that I could talk and I could listen. Since people had always enjoyed telling me their problems and I always enjoyed helping people, I decided to become a therapist. Now, it makes me happy to realize that if I had it to do all over again, I’d do the same thing.

What do you like to do on your days off?

On my days off I enjoy catching up on my sleep, reading, going to the movies, going out to eat and seeing different things like DeSoto Caverns, the aquarium in Atlanta, etc. But the main thing I enjoy is getting to spend time with family and friends.

If you couldn’t live on Lake Martin, where would you live?

This question holds a lot of significance for me right now. After selling my home and many belongings in December, 2007, I moved to Camp ASCCA with the hope of never moving again. This is an excerpt taken from the Epilogue of my book, “I Was Born This Way,” released in January, 2009:

“Since moving here, I have fallen in love with Camp ASCCA all over again. Although I love my job and my life at camp, being here has not gone as smoothly as I had hoped. Keeping and finding personal care attendants has not been easy. At this very moment, I am in the search for my fourth roommate in less than a year. These adjustments have been difficult, but every day I find myself thanking God for allowing me to be here. Right now, all I know for sure is that I’m not giving up.”

I have lived at Camp ASCCA a little under four years and I have now had over fourteen attendants. As a reference, that is equal the total number I had the entire eleven years I lived in Russellville. In the seven years I attended college in Montgomery, I had seven attendants. What is it like to have that many people come in and out of your home in such a brief period of time? Imagine getting divorced and adjusting to a new spouse every two to three months. Yeah, it’s that stressful!

Right now, all I know for sure is that I tried. However, after much prayer, thought and discussion the decision has been made that I will be moving back to the Shoals area sometime in the near future. With this change has come a new title. So, as the Director of Community Relations, I will continue my work with Camp ASCCA from my home. Just as always, I will continue traveling with the privilege of sharing the story of this special place to people throughout the state.

What’s your favorite memory at Camp ASCCA?

The first day of camp! As a child, there was nothing better than that first day. I had looked forward to that day all year. I had literally counted down the days and the excitement was almost more than I could take by the time that day arrived. The only thing I’ve found better than that is seeing that same excitement on the faces of the campers today.

What’s your favorite event Camp ASCCA holds and why?

One word: prom! The last night of Teenage Session in the summer, Camp ASCCA holds a prom complete with decorations, a theme song and Prom King and Queen. My own memories of ASCCA Prom are good. But nothing trumps sitting back over the last few years and watching the pure joy that our campers experience. There really are no words to describe it.

How did you teach yourself to write and type?

My parents realized pretty early on that the only way I would be able to do a lot of things was by using my mouth. So, when I was about three years old I began holding a pencil in my mouth and with years of practice, I eventually learned how to use it. I bought my first personal computer in 1999 and already had the plan of using a dowel stick in my mouth to type. The more difficult challenge was moving the mouse. Over time I learned to prop the mouse on books so that I could move it using my chin.

How do you think your disability helps you in your position at Camp ASCCA?

The fact that I know firsthand how it feels to come to Camp ASCCA as a camper is an enormous asset for my particular position. I’m able to give personal testimony on the benefits of coming here. And just in general, I believe I have a good understanding of disability issues simply because of my personal experiences.

Have you ever met anyone famous?

In 1982 when I was 11 years old, I was named the Easter Seals’ Child of Alabama. As a result of that honor I was given the privilege of meeting Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant!

I remember him as being a sweet gentle giant with a deep gruff voice.

What is the last book you read?

I just began re-reading “The Purpose Driven Life” and before that I attempted to read my way through the Lord Of The Rings Trilogy. I didn’t make it! (laughs)

What’s your motto?

“It’s all good!” Because at the end of the day, it really is! I also try to live by my two favorite Bible verses: Luke 6: 37-38 and Romans 13: 8-10.

The second half of your book, “I Was Born This Way,” is a devotional. What role does your faith play in your life?

My faith is not an area of my life that I visit occasionally. It is part of everything I do. My faith tells me to not judge anyone or worry about tomorrow. I do my very best to live out my faith through my actions. Even my mistakes are covered by my faith!

If you could take three things with you to a deserted island, what would they be?

Matches, a never ending supply of chocolate and a big box with all my family, friends and dog in it!

Besides Camp ASCCA, what’s your favorite spot on Lake Martin?

Camp ASCCA is it. I don’t have another spot!

Do you support any charities?

Christian organizations that offer mission work and hunger relief.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Everything my Mama ever said to me! Much to my dismay, the older I’ve gotten the more I have to admit that my Mom has almost always been right about pretty much everything! (laughs)

What’s the best advice you’ve ever given a camper?

A camper named Zack asked me a couple of years ago about living “independently” with a disability, holding a job, etc. I told him, “Make sure you really want what you ask for in life and then, once you’re absolutely sure you really want it, work as hard as you can to get it. That way, even if you don’t succeed, you’ll still know it was worth the effort.”

For more information about Camp ASCCA Easter Seals, visit the website: www.campascca.org or join the social network: www.asccafriends.org.

For more information about Allison Wetherbee, her book, presentation schedule, paintings and much more, visit her website: www.allisonwetherbee.com.

Original story here.