FACES Camp Parent Interview - July 2021

In July 2021, five mothers whose kids were at FACES Camp for the week shared their stories in a moving conversation about raising a child with a craniofacial difference. They credit FACES Camp - a camp for kids with facial differences - for providing a space for their child to meet other kids with similar medical issues and a chance to build confidence, independence, courage, and leadership. Also joining the conversation were long-time FACES supporters, Phil Mangiaracina and Cheri Roskamp. Phil, a professional photographer, and Cheri spent three days at FACES Camp, capturing through photographs the happiness and joy in the faces of FACES Camp kids. They share their story of their daughter, born 25 years ago with Golden Har syndrome, and how FACES helped them know they were not alone on this new journey in raising a child with a facial difference. "We needed the services of FACES from the standpoint of a parent - what we are facing, what are we looking at down the road. Having people on the phone saying you can do this: people get through this. It meant a lot." FACES Camp is a traditional week-long overnight summer camp for boys and girls with craniofacial differences ages 6 -17, featuring Bring a Buddy to Camp, where siblings or best friends can experience camp together. The program features summer camp activities emphasizing nature, outdoor adventure, noncompetitive sports, art, and drama. Located in Cloudland, Georgia, FACES Camp is like any other fun summer camp where kids can be kids. To learn more about FACES Camp and register a camper go to www.faces-cranio.org/faces-camp FACES provides scholarships for tuition and travel to camp. If you would like to give a child a week at camp, go to www.faces-cranio.org/sponsor-faces-camp. If you have or know of a child or adult with a craniofacial difference and may need FACES services, go to www.faces-cranio.org. FACES thanks The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Communications Department for creating this video. FACES thanks Phil and Cheri for generously sharing their talent and giving a lasting gift of camp photographs for us all to enjoy. Magical Moments Sports Photography @ www.mmsportsphoto.com. FACES thanks Stacey, Karen, Stephanie, Jen and Lisa for sharing your stories with us.