“In the woods, everyone can hear you laugh.”

Where Angels Camp

However, it wasn’t just Brady that captured our hearts.  It was Brady’s whole family.  They are the kind of family you hope all Angelman kids have.  His brother, Peyton, is as tender and patient an older brother you ever saw.  His mother and father, Stephanie and Craig, are teaching Brady by example, living life with zest and love, and Brady’s grandparents, well if you can keep up with them on their jet skis, you’ll discover that they are as outgoing and young at heart as Brady is himself.  In fact, Brady’s whole family exhibits such a natural grace, warmth, and humbleness, you almost forget how difficult the challenges of having an ‘Angel’ in the family must be.

Though our time with Brady and his family was short, it was one of those life-changing moments you hear about on Oprah, and maybe not for the reasons you would assume.  Sure, Brady and his syndrome elicit an instant empathy, but  I had an epiphany, not just empathy. 

The epiphany I experienced was not instant, nor was it sought.   It basically crept up on me, and then on my wife, Leigh.  When we left the campground in Florida, there were no long protracted goodbyes, no fanfare, no exchange of phone numbers, no promises, only a simple, “look us up on the web wen you get home and I hope you stay in touch,” from Brady’s mom, Stephanie. 

Two weeks later, when I started making the movie of our camping trip and saw the footage of my kids playing with Brady, all those joyous feelings returned, and that’s when everything just came together in my head.

Camping isn’t just fun, it’s therapeutic.  For Angelman kids and their families, camping is also an escape from the limitations of the syndrome.  Angelman kids love to laugh, make noise, throw things, horse around, play in water and socialize.  Parents of Angelman kids want to give their angels the freedom to do all those things daily, but without wrecking the whole house or turning the neighborhood upside down.

Camping is freedom. It’s a chance for Angelman families to remind themselves that though their child’s syndrome is a mishap of nature, nature, itself, is a magnifying glass that illuminates the beauty of their Angel’s souls.

So in a way, The Big Happy Tent Project is just that.  A simple way for Angelman kids, their families, friends and any campers within earshot, to reflect on the natural beauty of life within and without.  Simple yes, but at the same time, priceless.

We’ve only just begun on our quest, and if you think this is an idea you can support, well, we hope you do.  Even a $10 dollar donation can buy one night at most state parks.  More importantly, if you would like to donate camping gear, a hauling trailer, your time or just show up and splash around with an “Angel’, don’t hesitate to contact us.

                                                                                                                                    Bliss & Blessings,

                                                                                                                                    Marcel Cairo & family