I volunteered at Camp No Limits last weekend in August with my daughter. CNL is a camp for kids with limb loss/difference, their siblings, and their families. It was a fantastic long weekend with many great memories. My daughter had gone to camp for the previous two years as a camper, and I was able to join her last year. This was our first year as volunteers. There were so many unforgettable moments that were helpful reminders of the importance of accessibility, both in our daily lives and in the websites we build, we must consider what others need.
Adaptive kayaking for the win
While helping with kayaking during the afternoon, I took a high school teacher from Long Island, who was at camp as a mentor, out into the bay. She has a bilateral upper limb difference and has described herself as “just a passenger” in the past. Because of some adaptive equipment available this year, she could paddle the kayak for the first time. I was so excited to have been a part of that experience and to witness her joy at overcoming her feeling of being “dead weight,” which I assured her was never the case. Even when taking a break from paddling, we had a great conversation, which led me to connect her with a parent who had a question she was uniquely qualified to answer. I’m reminded of the importance of accessibility and the value everyone brings.
The gift of music
On Friday there was a talent show. Sadly, we forgot to pack my daughter’s clarinet, which she wanted to play for the talent show. While getting things out of my bag, I realized I had left my harmonicas in it, so I devised an act where I would teach her how to play the harmonica live on stage. Having noticed an extra harmonica I hadn’t played before, I added to the performance. With the help of a willing volunteer, who had very forgiving parents and who didn’t have an act in the show, I taught them how to play a train chug.
Afterwards, I gifted the harmonica to the camper who volunteered. For the rest of camp, I heard him playing at random times, and it made me so happy to know he loved it. I heard he plans to play it during the talent show next year. This goes to show the importance of including people even if they think they don’t have anything to contribute.
A lesson about listening
On the last day, I ate breakfast with some tween campers. A boy, who also had bilateral upper limb differences, asked for the sausage. When I passed the bowl, I asked if the camper needed help, but the camper said, “I think I got it.” Of course, he did just fine, which reminds us of the importance of listening to disabled people. Trust them; they know their abilities.
I’m not crying … no actually I am
Finally, the highlight of the weekend was the dance on Saturday. My daughter is an amputee who was between prosthetics, so she used her wheelchair all weekend. I noticed that she was being a wallflower at the dance, but I gave her the space to decide how to interact. Later, one of the campers pulled a chair up next to my daughter, and they chatted for a while. Soon, several others pulled up, and they all started dancing with her from their chairs. Not only did it bring tears to a proud father’s eyes, but it reminded me of the importance of inclusion. Everyone deserves to dance.
Applying Lessons Learned
Now that camp is over and I’ve had some time to rest, I’m grateful for the opportunity. I learned and was reminded of some important lessons, and I am ready to apply them to my work here at Reaktiv.
So many of these lessons reinforce our company values. Such as the importance of being willing to help, not just when it’s convenient, but as a consistent commitment to those who need it most. Being empathetic allows us to truly understand and respect the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Finding creative solutions is not just about technical innovation, but also about adapting our approach to meet diverse needs in ways that are both inclusive and effective. The connections made remind us of the value of engaging with our clients and their users on a deeper, more personal level. Finally, being intentional in our actions—whether in coding, design, or communication—ensures that every project we undertake is infused with purpose and care.
These are not just lessons from the camp; they are reflections of who we are and how we strive to make a difference through our work every day.
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