Duncan arrived on earth a happy child. Throughout his early childhood years, it became apparent that he would need significant special care and our family turned its attention to finding the best resources, the best schools and all the tools we could locate.
By the fall of 2011, it was clear that with a lot of support, Duncan could get through his days at school, but he wasn’t participating in his education in a meaningful way–he was a party of one in a very small school. We wanted more for Duncan. He needed more. He deserved more. With our school’s support, we started looking into alternatives. We learned about The Camphill School in Pennsylvania, the only accredited Waldorf School for special needs in North America. We were curious but had no intention of sending Duncan to PA for school…he was only 11 years old.
Within eight weeks, we took the entire family to PA for a two day visit to the Camphill School. Duncan spent a half day with the fifth grade, joining them in class, music and on the playground. We were overwhelmed with the idea of boarding school in a village setting, but it was clear that in this setting, Duncan was a part of something, would have friends his own age and would find community. Duncan spent the next 7 ½ years at the Camphill School and then three years at the school’s transition program, Beaver Farm.
Duncan has thrived living in three different Camphill communities where his days are filled with love, laughter, patience, friendship, purposeful work, routine, special events and celebrations to connect the seasons and passage of time. He is living his own life, a very meaningful one. And while he is happy to be at our family home he is also happy to go back to his own life, like many young adults his age. The consistent rhythm of life has had an enormous effect on his ability to be the most independent and capable human he can be.
It is with amazement, hard work and clarity that we are turning our attention to support Duncan as one of the Founding Friends at Riverflow Community. He will take all his community experience and support Riverflow Community as it sets roots and grows into the future.
