A special summer camp

Stephanie-Umbro — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:46:51 GMT

Tiki, thanks for sharing not only the story of Brainy Camps, but your personal story as well. I would have never guessed that you had epilepsy as a child, particularly since I remember your football career. (I do forgive you for playing for the Jets. Go Patriots!:)

I'm glad to see such stories of people really making a difference in others' lives that changes them forever. I hope many more children will one day find the benefit that comes from being at Camp Great Rock!

A special summer camp

Susan Mehlman, Owings Mills, Maryland — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:50:15 GMT

Hi Tiki, As one of the volunteer staff at all of the Brainy Camps this summer, I want you to know how thrilling it was for all of us to have you spend the day at Camp Great Rock. Everyone reading this blog should know that you took hours out of your busy schedule just to hang out with the kids and participate in their camp day. The campers just could not believe that they were spending time with the famous Tiki Barber. And when they found out that you, too, had epilepsy as a kid, that just brought home Sandy and Steve's message to them: You are a kid first, who just happens to have epilepsy. And you, Tiki, are THE role model for showing these children that they can do anything to which they set their minds. Thank you so much for sharing your day with our kids and your story with the nation.

A special summer camp

Samantha Pia, New York, NY — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:07:06 GMT

I think this is the greatest story I have seen in a long time. Kids have such a hard time growing up with the bullying that goes on in school and while playing. It is great to see someone as influential and successful as Tiki taking an interest and an active stand against such hardships. I think this story would do wonders for the community - shedding light on a part of the world that is otherwise kept quiet. Keep on influencing, Tiki, and thank you!

A special summer camp

Annie Kaplan, Brooklyn, NY — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:07:09 GMT

Thank you so much for doing this story. It means so much that you can shed light on these kids' lives and help spread the word about camps like these. Keep telling it like it is, Tiki!

A special summer camp

Ed, Brooklyn NY — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:23:39 GMT

Tiki,

Thank you for doing this story. I like how personal it is to you, and I hope you enjoyed your day with the campers.

A special summer camp

Isaac Cohen — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:22:34 GMT

This is a thank you from myself to Freedom Van Lines for coordinating our move from Dallas Texas to Oklahoma City. They had an agent contact us after a request on their website and they did a wonderful job for my family. Moving is quite stressful and I know because we have moved several times over the years and these guys put us at ease and really made it easy for us during the process. I would like to thank them and would definately recommend their services to others and would use them again when and if we move again.

A special summer camp

Sandra Cushner Weinstein, 8300 Whitman Dr, Bethesda MD 20817 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:07:46 GMT

Tiki,
Thank you and NBC for reaching out to the children and staff at Camp Great Rock and introducing us to the nation in such a positive light. You clearly understand the stigma of growing up with seizures. Your honesty is greatly appreciated and validates the experience of children and adults with epilepsy. We have a long way to go to reach the goal of building our own campsite. With your support and the exposure provided on NBC, anything is possible. No one could be a better spokesperson for this dream.

A special summer camp

Kola Oloniyo, New Carrollton, Maryland — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:21:08 GMT

Hey Tiki. I am also one of the counselors for Camp Great Rock. Your story was truly inspiring not only to the many children with epilepsy, but also to many other individuals who may face their own daily challenges, whether physical or mental. Your piece was just beautiful and it exemplifies everything that the camp is about. Thanks Tiki!!

A special summer camp

Robin Payes, Rockville, MD. — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:07:12 GMT

Thanks for bringing this amazing program to light. What Sandy Weinstein is doing is no less than a mitzvah - empowering children to feel "normal" and that they have no excuse to avoid engaging in everything life has to offer. The camp experiences give these kids a respite from feeling "different" and isolated, but part of a community.

A special summer camp

Stacy Williams, Ashburn, VA — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:48:34 GMT

Thank you so much for doing a story like this, Tiki. I am the mother of a 6yo girl who was just diagnosed two years ago with epilepsy. I am encouraged to see the smiling faces of the kids at the camp and plan on enrolling my daughter next summer (kids need to be 7yo to participate) for the camp. You have informed and enriched my life in the area of epilepsy of things I was either too embarrassed or just not wanting to confront concerning epilepsy since coming to the TODAY show. My daughter and I are now both ready and willing to confront this disease. Thank you for touching my life and opening my eyes to the beauty of MY DAUGHTER.

A special summer camp

Adam Pearl, Chevy Chase, MD — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:09:18 GMT

Hey Tiki, speaking as one of the volunteer counselors I first want to thank you for coming out to our camp and supporting us in our mission to help kids learn about their condition. I remember telling my kids that morning that you were coming and at that moment I had never seen as much excitement on their faces as I had just seen that day. Hopefully people who read this will understand what we're trying to accomplish and help us reach our goal. Thanks again for taking time out of your day to come and make a difference in the lives of all of the people who are a part of Camp Great Rock

A special summer camp

Jennfer Kovacsi, Baltimore City, Maryland — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:11:19 GMT

This story is wonderful and inspiring, and I only wish that there were many more like it on news programs. I never even knew about this fantastic camp in my own state! It is great to know that these children can be in a place that celebrates who they are and puts them in control of their lives in such a positive manner. Go Sandy!

A special summer camp

Matt Graf, Baltimore City, MD — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:12:46 GMT

As a child, I suffered from epilepsy, so this story was inspiring for me. It is really great to know that programs like these exist, especially so close to home.

A special summer camp

Sandy Cushner Weinstein, Maryland — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:21:11 GMT

A special summer camp

Sharon Pressley New York, N.Y. — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:48:45 GMT

Please give me the additional information about Camp Great Rock for epileptic children. I have a cousin who can benefit from a camp like this. I need the address and an application. I'm so happy to hear of such a program as this.

A special summer camp

Sharon Pressley New York, N.Y. — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:49:26 GMT

Thanks

A special summer camp

E. Fuller, Montreal, Quebec — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 03:41:25 GMT

great story...I wonder if there are similarly functioning camps in any other countries...?

A special summer camp

Mary Ann Wilson — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:07:35 GMT

August 7, 2008

Tiki,

Thank you and NBC Nightly News for the great piece you did on Camp Great Rock last night. The camp experience is "What Works" also for the young people who have neurofibromatosis (NF) and have attended Camp New Friends for the past 5 years. Your personal story also touched the lives of many children and adults with NF who also have seizures. Thanks, again.

A special summer camp

elizabeth, new york, ny — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:43:48 GMT

I think Camp Great Rock addresses the idea of universal acceptance, something not demanded of this generation's youth. HHS (Health and Human Servies) and specifically a branch under them, SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Servies Adminstrations) has focused particular attention to no-bullying in schools. Thank you to all of the humans responsible for this piece and for helping to bridge the gap, socially. Most intersting to me are the humans whose capabilites differ from what is thought of as the norm. If we can instill in young adults, growing children, that a human is a defined by their unique capabilites, and that each individual is worthy of great things, we would be in a great place. I look forward to more public schools demanding this point of view from children.
Cheers!

A special summer camp

Dylan Vogtman,Airville,Pennsylvania — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:58:03 GMT

I was there. I was not a camper or counselor at Camp Great Rock, I was at the Bishop Claggett Center and they have been running for more than 40 years. I am glad that Tiki Barber did this and i met the man myself but they could have said something about where they were staying. The Bishop Claggett Center is a place where I and many others go to worship GOD and maybe NBC should see how Claggett has changed peoples lives.

A special summer camp

Daniel Krosin, Baltimore, Maryland — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:02:17 GMT

Tiki - This is a great story. Our friend volunteers at Brainy Camps and just told us of the story you did on the camp on NBC and the amazingly positive impact on the kids by your visit and sharing of your experiences. I have been involved with other organizations in the past who sponsor weekly camp sessions for children with specific issues, and everyone's goal is to have a permanent camp site to be able to accommodate many weekly sessions. I complement you on helping bring attention to Brainy Camps.

A special summer camp

Julia Gomes — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:40:05 GMT

Tiki
Thanks for highlighting the work that Sandy Cushner Weinstein and her team are doing at Camp Great Rock. For my son, the experience has been life changing.
Rock On!!!

A special summer camp

Julia Gomes — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:40:45 GMT

Tiki
Thanks for highlighting the work that Sandy Cushner Weinstein and her team are doing at Camp Great Rock. For my son, the experience has been life changing.
Rock On!!!

A special summer camp

Melissa Walker, Charlottesville, VA — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 05:35:36 GMT

Good Morning,
Can you please forward information to any other camps that Tiki does. Has he considered having a camp for kids in Charlottesville, Virginia where he went to college? Would be nice.

A special summer camp

Amber Smith — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 18:06:49 GMT

The idea was nice but when he came to our camp he spent his day with "Sandy" and spent minimal time with the kids. The kids are the reason for the camp. It was a huge disappointment.