Reproduced with permission of The Record of Hackensack, NJ.

By VERA LAWLOR, Staff Writer

MINISTRY OFFERS THE DISABLED A PLACE TO FIT IN

Debbie Neilley couldn't understand the woman on the phone. But as program director for Christian Overcomers, she knew the call was important.

"She has cerebral palsy, and it's difficult for her to speak," said Neilley, whose non-profit, non-denominational organization serves the disabled.

"We went through the alphabet spelling out each word, and when I said the correct letter, she would say: 'Ah.' That's how we conversed over the phone."

After an hour, she figured out that the caller was asking to attend the Christian Overcomers coffeehouse. The caller's request might seem trivial, but Neilley sees the coffeehouse as a lifeline for members. The gatherings offer participants a rare chance to socialize outside their homes.

In addition to six coffeehouses a year, a fall picnic, and holiday parties, the Garfield-based organization sponsors three weeklong camps, and provides ongoing transportation and moral support for people with disabilities.

This year was the first time that Joanne Safer-Collerd of Wayne, who has muscular dystrophy, attended one of the organization's camps at a retreat center in the Poconos. Trained volunteers from the ministry, founded in 1977, make it possible for the campers to be away from home.

"It was one of the most inspiring experiences of my life, to see all of these people who have such needs, and the dedication of the people who volunteered their time to help them," said Ruth Safer, who spent the first day at camp with her daughter. "Joanne doesn't walk and can't feed herself and it's very hard to put into words what this meant to her. You have to see the love and caring to believe it."

The camps - two in the summer and one this month - are held at various retreat centers in the Poconos and average 200 campers ages 18 and up. Many of the centers are equipped for people with disabilities. For example, special lifts move campers from wheelchairs to beds or into the swimming pools. Most also have showering rooms large enough to accommodate wheelchairs.

Campers pay between $550 and $590, which also covers the cost for the volunteer who takes care of their needs. In some cases, the organization, which depends on donations, subsidizes the cost for members unable to pay the full amount.

"Camp was great, a lot of fun," Safer-Collerd said. "The people cared, and you didn't feel like an outsider. I'd love to go again."

The Rev. Dominick Apollo, pastor of First Reformed Church of Fort Lee, said he feels the "presence of the Lord more at camp than anywhere else during the year.

"I come back from camp energized because of how it feeds me inside," said Apollo, who has served as camp pastor and volunteer for Bob Canty, a camper who has muscular dystrophy. "Bob really serves me by his kindness in patiently walking me through how to care for his body, and in allowing me to make mistakes."

Pam Larson, a nurse from Wall Township, has volunteered her professional services at the camp for four years.

"I go there to be a blessing, and I come away feeling more blessed," Larson said.

Her life, she said, has been touched by the campers she goes to help.

"One gentleman has been disabled since birth; he has lived his whole life lying down in a wheelchair," Larson said. "It's unbelievable and inspiring to hear him singing in the talent show at camp. All the campers have a great sense of humor. They sing and they dance in wheelchairs. It's just remarkable to see."

Another camper this year communicated with the nurse by bumping into her with his wheelchair.

"He has cerebral palsy and couldn't call out for me. This was the only way he knew to get my attention," Larson said. "All he wanted to do was hold my hand and to be hugged. You learn a lot about communication at these camps, and it's amazing to see the smiles on campers' faces when you understand what they are trying to say to you."

Jeanne Martin, administrative assistant for the ministry, said camp is like a family reunion.

"These are people we really like to be with and they love to be with us," said Martin, who is also Sunday school coordinator for the Congregational Church of Haworth. "So many of these people live in group homes, nursing homes, or private homes, and when they go out they are usually stared at or ignored. When we are all together at camp, disabilities disappear."

Camp, she said, offers people with disabilities a chance to get away from the structured lives they live the rest of the year.

Robert Romano, a volunteer and board member of Christian Overcomers, understands what it is like to live with a disability. The North Haledon resident, who has muscular dystrophy, uses a wheelchair for mobility. At the camp, he helps wash, scrub, feed, shower, and give haircuts to campers.

Neilley said it's important to have people with disabilities on the board of directors.

"I don't know everything that someone with a disability wants, and people like Bob can tell me the other side," Neilley said.

Apollo said participating in the camps has been an eye opener. "It made me realize that there are people in these bodies - intelligent, gifted, and wonderful people," the pastor said. "They have incredible value and worth." Apollo has shared this message often during morning and evening services, held daily at the camp. Sometimes, the pastor said, campers ask him why God allows them to have such disabilities.

"I tell them none of us knows the answer to that question, but I also try to deflect their anger away from God because I believe that's the very one they need in their lives right now," Apollo said. "I tell them there is evil in the world, but it's not God that's doing this to them.

" Camp has opened up a whole new world for Safer-Collerd, who now looks forward to the letters and photos she receives via e-mail from new friends.

"People with disabilities are treated like real people at camp. They come first," Safer said. "I don't think that happens too often in their lives."

Donations may be sent to Christian Overcomers Inc., P.O. Box 2007, Garfield, N.J. 07026. For more information about the group, call (973) 253-2343 or e-mail overcomer2007@optonline.com.