In Memory of Patrick MORTON
MORTON
Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 3/3/2009 at 15:17:20
"The Fairfield Ledger", Thursday, February 26, 2009, Front Page
In memory of Patrick ... 'a boy who never said a word'
By Sara Rhum
Ledger Lifestyles editorWhen an unfortunate or tragic event befalls an individual or family, the goodness of human nature can sometimes be surprising; in the past several weeks, the family of Patrick MORTON, a seventh-grade student at the Fairfield Middle School, has witnessed that goodness and generosity from the surrounding community.
When Gregg and Luann MORTON's son Patrick passed away Jan. 16, they placed a request in his obituary asking for donations to Camp Courageous, a not-for-profit donation-run camp for individuals with special needs, in memory of him. The family was unprepared for how the community would take the request to heart.
"The Monday after he died, we had a stack of cards and letters in the mail about this thick," said Nicholas MORTON, Patrick's older brother, while spreading his fingers approximately 4 inches apart.
"They about filled the width of the mailbox," added Luann. "The outpouring of generosity is beyond words."
In the six weeks following Patrick's death, $8,900 in donations has been sent to the MORTONs. The funds will be divided between a scholarship to send campers to the camp in Monticello and funding the maintenance of the camp's Olympic-sized pool due to Patrick's fondness of water.
"Camp was a very special place for Patrick," said Luann. "For him, it was like Christmas and his birthday all rolled into one."
Even though Patrick was unable to speak, he had his own way of showing how much he enjoyed his experiences at Camp Courageous. He would recognize the section of road his family only traveled on when they were taking him to camp, and he would immediately start to get very excited. Patrick attended at least once every year since the age of 3.
Because so many campers apply to attend, reserving a place for him was sometimes difficult. During 2008, 5,184 campters attended.
"One year, reservations began at 7 a.m., and they were completely booked for the summer by 9 a.m.," said Luann. "It shows there's an incredible need and demand."
She said the appeal of the camp is that individuals with disabilities are able to do things they would normally be unable to do and also have real life experiences. People in wheelchairs can climb trees due to specialized lifts, Patrick was able to scale steep rope ladders with the assistance of a harness, and campers are even able to zoom down a zip line.
According to Luann, individuals from Jefferson and Van Buren counties account for approximately 2 percent of the campers at Camp Courageous, even though the camp is located approximately two hours away.
"Because of the use we give it, we need to consider it a local charity," said Luann.
The MORTON family hopes to be able to have an annual Camp Courageous scholarship in memory of Patrick. The scholarship would be in place to send individuals to camp who might not have the financial means to do so on their own. The generosity of the community for Patrick's memorial makes the goal believable for the family.
"No act of kindness will ever go unnoticed in the handicapped community," said Nicholas.
"It shows the special needs community within our community is very well supported" Luann said. "I mean, all this came about for a boy who never said a word."
*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.
[Ed. note: In the picture below, Patrick participates in an indoor climbing activity at Camp Courageous.]
Click here to read Patrick's obituary
Jefferson Documents maintained by Joey Stark.
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