Inclusive, artist-run camp 'welcomes both my boys'
Aarav Ghosh and his twin brother Ishaan at Spiral Garden
Photos and story by Louise Kinross
Ishaan Ghosh (photo above right) was introduced to Spiral Garden in 2022 when he was hospitalized at Holland Bloorview for rehab following brain surgery to treat his seizures.
The artist-run camp, celebrating its 41st summer, brings children with and without disabilities together under a canopy of trees to tend an accessible garden, sculpt clay, work wood, and tell stories.
“We saw their music circle with drums,” recalls Ishaan’s mother Anu Ghosh. “Marsha noticed us, and I said, 'We’re not part of the camp, but my son loves the music.' She said: 'Oh yes, you can join the circle.' She was so warm and inviting. While Ishaan did eight weeks of rehab, we started looking for the music circle each day, and it was one of the happier times for him.”
This will be the third summer Ishaan, now eight, has been a camper at Spiral Garden since he was an inpatient. He comes with his twin brother Aarav (photo above left).
“Spiral Garden is the only camp that welcomes both my boys," Ghosh says. "It’s incredibly hard as a parent to find an organization that makes the effort to bring in a typically developing child and a child with special needs and make them both feel like they’re part of something bigger and welcomed. I haven’t found that anywhere else. I’m going to get emotional about this, but this is the only time of the year I see them the entire day together, because they go to different schools. It’s such an important time. We look forward to this all year. The boys countdown the days to Spiral Garden.”
Prior to Ishaan’s surgery, his world had become very small because he had dangerous drop seizures where he would suddenly fall to the ground.
At Spiral Garden he’s “free to explore, free to touch, free to dance,” Ghosh says. “He can be himself. He used to run up to the teacher who was drumming in the music circle and my first instinct was to pull him back, but the teacher said: ‘Leave him, he’s fine.’ That lifted a weight off my shoulders—that he isn’t expected to conform in his behaviour. I don’t have to worry about him making loud sounds or moving around. I love that this is a world that’s been created for the children. It’s a sanctuary for us. There’s a sense of adventure and a sense of acceptance and we feel a lot of joy.”
Ishaan’s brother Aarav relishes the freedom of choosing which art station he’ll attend, Ghosh says. “He loves the independence of being able to walk from station to station. He liked woodwork. He also loves gardening. And when one-on-one support workers bring him on as a helper, it boosts his confidence and teaches him a lot, too.”
Spiral Garden provides Ishaan with a support worker. "He can’t participate in camp without that,” Ghosh says. “This is the standard that other camps need to aspire to. When my husband and I drop the kids off and hand them over, I know they’re both safe and will be engaged."
When asked if Spiral Garden could make any improvements, Ghosh suggests an opportunity to swim would be welcome. “Maybe there could also be a day where parents are invited for a couple of hours to be part of the camp, and experience what the kids’ days are like.”
Spiral Garden is supported by donations to the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation.
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