Phillip and his family lived in St. Louis County where he was picked up daily to attend the excellent programs with Missouri School for the Blind.  Phillip, today at age 22 is a multiple challenged youth. He was somewhat quiet and withdrawn, confined to a powered wheel chair and legally blind. Today he has a bright, happy and excited outlook o­n life.     

On his first trip to Camp Brim Shire in 1994 he was somewhat withdrawn, agitated, uncertain and expressing concerns for his ability to participate. For the first time, at age 13, he was in a new and strange environment. - "the wild outdoors".  None-the-less, Phillip through support of his peers and camp staff soon became comfortable with his new surroundings. It took him about o­ne day to understand that with supervision, his motorized wheel chair could travel to the entire campus, negotiate the Lions Blind Trail and he was encouraged to participate in every camp activity taking place. Now, there was no stopping him!!     

Sadly, no matter how hard he and the camp staff tried that week he never did catch a fish from the over stocked lake. Returning each year for four more camp seasons, we observed Phillip growing and developing socially, having more self confidence, accepting challenges, laughing and singing more and more in spite of his ever changing physical conditions. He was now operating his wheel chair with a rod to the controller transducer o­n the right arm of his wheel chair and using an electronic communicator device. 

On his trip to Brim Shire in 1998 Phillip again was anxious to go fishing - his passion for the outdoors and fishing was overwhelming since that first day in 1994. With other Blind children and counselors/staff were supervising and assisting the entire group, a rod was baited, cast out into the lake and placed in his lap/hands; in a flash Phillips life was turned upside down. A healthy 3 1/2 pound Channel Catfish hit Phillips hook and he let loose the loudest most joyful yell we have ever heard from a youth with his conditions.  Naturally, Phillip required assistance and support to land his fish - the largest cat fish caught by the entire School that week.   Obviously the catfish was cleaned, dressed and Jason, now the camp hero - shared his first fish in his life with his friends at dinner in the Camp Brim Shire dining hall.      

Phillip returned year after year until 2001 when the School for the Blind returned to Camp Brim Shire for a five day outing.  It was quickly noticed that Phillip was not among the campers -  Concerned, camp Secretary Sherry Hashagen inquired of the School staff as to the whereabouts of him and was advised "OH!, haven't you heard?"  - our hearts sank fearing the worse as many, many multiple disabled youth we see pass away over the winter months.  "Phillip graduated our School and is now a freshman attending a Missouri College". 
  
In 2003 we hear that Phillip was doing very well, now in his second year of college he is maintaining a 3.1 grade point average and has a girl friend.  We have not recently heard from Phillip however,  we know in our hearts he is doing well, enjoying life and perhaps through his experience with us has even gone fishing a few times.  We are truly grateful our small foundation has had the opportunity to play a role in Phillips development and life. We wish him the best as we realize we were able to touch the life of this small boy in 1994.  

At the request of the Missouri School for the Blind and other children's agencies we are working to complete a new ADA special needs support dormitory for people like Phillip, you can help. Please call us at 573-699-4351 for more information or to simply visit Camp Brim Shire and learn more about our many programs. 

NOTE: Fish for Camp Brim Shire programs are provided by Bob and Sandy - Owners of Country fish Farm, Salem, MO.

Camp Brim Shire