Testimonials
To Arizona Magic,
The production of Jungle Book was such a moving experience for me. It opened my eyes to the lives of the disabled. To see those children happy and having so much fun was such a joy. My friends daughter, Lupita Rangel, had the most wonderful experience as an “actor”. Your giving her the scholarship was truly appreciated. In caring and sensitivity of the teenage volunteers was remarkable. They appeared to be mature beyond their years. You have a wonderful organization. Thank you or your good work.
Bobbie Odom
Arizona Magic,
"Our sweet and loving twin sons both have autism. As parents, all of our previous attempts to find an activity for them had been met with frustration and disappointment. There just seemed to be nothing out there that could be a POSITIVE experience for them. The AZ Magic of Music and Dance camp will be the first time they are accepted for exactly who they are. My husband and I are just thrilled and so are the boys. Brian and I were so nervous about the show that Tim and Sean might not do well. You know, we have, like so many other parents of children with special needs, endured many comments and disappointments-- It is difficult as parents to be told your kids aren't welcome in the church nursery or invited to the birthday party or wherever because of a disability they can't help--that is why I worried about just leaving them at camp to spend the day.
What if they didn't do well? With AZ Magic, something wonderful happened....every day we received reassurance that they were not only good, but welcome and that everyone was so happy for them to be there. We have never had that. So, Sean and Tim are not the only ones who benefited from the camp; it was really good for Brian and I as well."
Katie Sullivan, Mom, Volunteer and Sponsor
Hi!!
I thought it (the summer camp) was really well put together, organized and a special place
where all kids could be actively involved in not only just the play but the
production of it as well.
My son, Matthew, truly enjoyed playing the part of Shar Khan in The
Jungle Book. It is something he really looked forward to and he wanted
the role of the tiger so badly. He was so excited about it when he got
the role. The expression on his face was priceless and we could feel the
excitement radiating from him as he told us about it.
My family and I enjoyed watching the play. We had a good time. It was important to my husband and I that my mother in law attended as she has a terminal illness, and we aren't sure how much longer she is going to be around. We all took away wonderful memories of this day.
Keep doing this as this is a much needed summer camp for our special
needs youth in our communities. It is a place where they are accepted,
where they can express their uniqueness and they can participate in the
arts--something that has lost footing in society today.
Bless you!!!
Best Wishes, Caroline
Trends Charitable Foundation,
My daughter, Lauren, is 18. She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and cognitive delays as a baby. We have had many challenges over the years, but surprisingly, the most difficult challenge of having a child with special needs is finding activities for them to enjoy, especially in the summer. When I heard about Arizona Magic of Music and Dance starting a camp, last summer, I excitedly signed her up. Lauren loves movies and plays – how exciting for her to be in one! As it turned out, Arizona Magic did not just provide an activity for Lauren, it was a truly magical experience for her and our whole family.
The camp was one week long and I was impressed before it began. Day one was so organized with a peer buddy assigned to Lauren and meeting us at the door, I felt very comfortable dropping her off and every day Lauren was bubbling with excitement, when I picked her up.
Friday, the day of performance came and Lauren woke up excitedly shouting “My day!” We’d been to so many of her sister’s dance recitals and soccer games but this day was all hers. The whole family, including grandparents came to watch and we were “wowed” by the beautiful stage scenery and hand sewn costumes. We watched with amazement as all of the performers knew their lines and stage moves after only one week! They were actors and any special needs seemed so insignificant. When it was Lauren’s time, I was on the edge of my seat because speech is so difficult for her and I had no idea how she would do. Tears filled my eyes as she said all of her lines loud and clear! She had the proudest look on her face. It was her day!
I believe it is the pairing of the children with special needs to peer buddies that helps bring the fullest potential from the actors. This combined with real sets and costumes help them feel apart of a real production making them want to perform their best. I was thrilled that AZ Magic was able to bring the camp back this summer for two sessions. Lauren’s fifteen year old sister, Julia, volunteered at both sessions this summer. As mentioned, Julia has had plenty of opportunities to be a performer but I have never been more proud of her than those two weeks watching her be a true “buddy” to two children she grew to adore.
The first week, Julia was buddies with an autistic 5 year old boy. His behavior was challenging but Julia wanted this boy to have that same magical moment on stage as her sister. She worked enthusiastically with him all week and was really proud to see that the support she had provided her buddy really made a difference. When he performed on stage and said his lines, I looked and saw his parents with the same teary but proud eyes that we had for our daughter, Lauren. Moments like these are ones that you think you’ll never have with a child that has special needs.
The second session was just as magical. A new set of performers all performing like “stars” on their special day. This week, Julia was a buddy to a darling little girl. It wasn’t the girl’s wheelchair; her drooling; her inability to speak or feed herself that Julia spoke of, it was the girl’s smiles, cute reactions and seeing her sway her arm like an elephant. Once again, performance day was a magical moment for this little girl and her family. They were thrilled to see their daughter perform.
AZ Magic provides a setting that allow children with special needs to have their “own day” in a setting that’s not compromised because of their special needs, while peer buddies help encourage them to their fullest potential. As the campers discover new abilities, the peer buddies learn some new abilities of their own.
Our family has been so thankful to have been participants in this camp and strongly hope that it will continue to grow so that more families can experience the magic it offers. Arizona Magic of Music and Dance really does provide a magical experience to the campers, their families and the volunteers.
Patti H.