The Power of Storytelling | | |
Stories are told and heard through song, speech, social media, novels, and so much more! Throughout a lifetime, from soothing lullabies to groundbreaking images, stories tap into our feelings and experiences.
For people with disabilities and their allies, storytelling can also be a powerful tool to teach, raise awareness, influence attitudes and culture, and change policy. In this issue, we are excited to introduce Camryn, a student with a disability who is also an insightful storyteller. Camryn’s stories help us better relate to people with Autism and OCD.
Through Starbridge’s many interactions with families – whether it be a phone call, workshop, webinar, or community event – our staff members hear and tell hundreds of stories. The stories we hear are critical in understanding our families’ concerns and empathizing with their loved ones who have disabilities. The stories we tell convey Starbridge’s mission, vision, and values, ultimately helping to ensure that each person we encounter is renewed by hope and the means to achieve their goals.
In June, Starbridge staff connected with community members at a number of area events. These included the Rochester City School District Family Resource Fair, the Bilingual Education Council’s For a Bilingual Future, Parent Helping Parents’ Parent Connection Summer Support Spectacular, and Eleversity’s Women of Color Summit, featuring Starbridge CEO Nikisha Ridgeway as a panelist.
Check out our website for updates, including information about the fall session of Creating A Life After High School!
| | | Finding Power in Words: A Conversation with Aspiring Author Camryn Simpson | | |
Camryn Simpson describes herself as kind, creative, outgoing, strong, and passionate. All of this shines through in her journey as a young writer. Inspired by Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series, Camryn began her storytelling path with fanfiction, which evolved into original stories across a variety of genres, including romance, mystery, dystopian fiction, and mythology.
For Camryn, writing is deeply personal. As a neurodivergent writer, she sees storytelling as a powerful tool to include authentic experiences of people with Autism and OCD. Both of these identities she shares with her characters. Her short story “Overstimulated” helped the young writer’s father understand her sensory experiences for the first time. “He said that he actually felt her emotions, he started to feel himself panic a little too.”
Currently, she’s working on a novel about a girl who discovers that the Greek gods are trapped inside her headphones. The project reflects Camryn’s passion for weaving emotion, humor, and representation into her work. “I love how I can express all of my emotions into my writing,” she shares. “If I’m upset or happy, I can put that into my story.”
In Camryn’s writing journey, she has shared her personal experiences she has faced, especially in forming connections and navigating overstimulating environments, but they channel these experiences into their writing. “My characters have similar things as me. That’s how I work through them.”
Camryn’s goals are clear: she wants to become a published, well-known author that is known for honest and inclusive representation. “My writing is something that I hope can change or even save lives in the future,” she writes proudly.
Her advice to other young people with disabilities? “Do it. Dreams can come true—mine is already starting to.”
When asked what the title of her life story would be, she laughs and shares a suggestion from her sister: Too Many Pieces, Too Little Glue. It's a perfect reflection of a life that, while complex, is held together by passion, resilience, and a love of storytelling.
This is a link to one of Camryn's short stories, Medusa, Alex’s version (Some of the topics covered could be triggering, please use your discretion for this video.): https://youtu.be/6X8iVn2JfdI?si=z4bKCZLOG1xiZ7lF
Camryn also participated in Starbridge’s Creating A Life After High School workshop, which helped her visualize personal goals. “Making a poster board helped my dreams feel real rather than just dreams,” she explains.
| | Widening the Circle: Creating Memories Through Wellness GIFTS | | | | |
A powerful story isn’t just about what happened or who was there. It’s about the moments that uplift us, the bonds we strengthen, and the hope we find together.
Wellness GIFTS (Giving Inspiration For The Soul) is a program now offered through Pathways, Inc., providing camping retreats specifically for families who have a loved one with developmental disabilities. These retreats offer an opportunity for families to relax, rejuvenate, engage in fun and enriching activities, gain useful knowledge, and build meaningful connections with others.
Held in the scenic Finger Lakes region, the retreats are set in a family-friendly environment that encourages lasting relationships and a strong sense of community. Dedicated staff is there to give the family a respite and the freedom to fully participate in all retreat offerings.
To attend, participants must be eligible for services through the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). There are no age limits, and individuals can bring immediate family only. The next summer retreat is set for August 22–24, 2025 at Hickory Hill Camping Resort. For questions, please contact (607) 937-4502 or wellnessgifts@pathwaysforyou.org.
Turn a weekend into memories, and memories to stories.
For more information, please visit their website: https://www.wellnessgifts.org/retreats/
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“We are all storytellers. We live in a network of stories. There isn’t a stronger connection between people than storytelling.”
- Jimmy Neil Smith, founder of both the National Storytelling Festival and the International Storytelling Center
| | July is Disability Pride Month | | |
Disability Pride Month celebrates people with disabilities, commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and promotes disability culture and visibility.
Learn more at Disability Pride Month website, including ways to celebrate.
What are you doing to celebrate? Share with us on Social Media!
| | Upcoming Events and Workshops | | |
July
Family Fun Magic Express at Arcade & Attica Railroad, July 19, 1:00pm-3:00pm, 278 Main St., Arcade NY 14009.
Sensory Friendly Roller Skating, July 26, 4:00pm-6:00pm, Funland Skate Center, 3238 Baldwin Road, Wellsville, NY 14895.
Bridging Communities Event, July 26, 12:00-3:00pm, Maplewood Park and Driving Park Bridge. Rochester, NY.
August
Family Fun Event at Letchworth State Park's Autism Nature Trail (A.N.T.),
August 2, 12:00pm-2:00pm, Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY 14427.
Portland Avenue Business Association Community Festival, August 9, 1:00pm, David F. Gantt R-Center, 700 North Street, Rochester, NY. Will be held outdoors. For further information, email Terry at terry@arlenescostumes.com.
Family Fun Tie-Dye, August 16, 11:00am-1:00pm, Olean YMCA, 1101 Wayne St., Olean, NY 14760.
September
3rd Annual Special Education Resource Fair, September 6, 10:00am-1:00pm, Rochester City School District School No. 33, 500 Webster Ave., Rochester, NY 14609. For students and parents/caregivers of a child enrolled in Special Education in RCSD. To register, email rcsdsepac@gmail.com.
Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): A Half-Day Conference for Families, Educators, & Other Professionals, September 26, 8:30am - 12:30pm, Monroe Community College, R. Thomas Flynn Campus Center, 1000E. Henrietta D., Rochester, NY 14623. Registration and further details will soon be available on our Website!
October Special Event
Cause for Celebration 2025 - Save the Date! October 22, 6:00pm-9:00pm, Comedy @ the Carlson, 50 Carlson Rd., Rochester, NY 14610. Join us for Starbridge’s annual fundraiser that raises vital funds to support our mission of providing life-changing opportunities for people with disabilities in our community!
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Coming in the August issue
Back to School - Going Forward with Confidence
Want to contribute a Back to School tip or favorite memory? We’d love to hear from you! Self-advocates, we invite you to share your reflections on “What I Wish I Knew in School.” Email us at marketing@starbridgeinc.org
Follow Starbridge on Social Media for stories, resources, and ways to get involved.
| | Go Monroe - Get Where You Need to Be | | |
School meetings, community & recreational events, even just going out as a family for fun…Go Monroe can help!
For Eligibility Requirements, please click on Go
Monroe (English version) or Go Monroe (Spanish version)
Contact us today to learn more or to apply! Contact Jessy May at (585) 224-7250 or
jmay@starbridgeinc.org.
| | Your support makes a difference. Please consider a donation to help us partner with people who have disabilities and their families—helping them achieve success in education, employment, and healthy living. Together, we transform communities to include EVERYone. | | | | |
