Dawson is smart, hilariously funny, kind, empathetic — the kind of kid parents hope for. He’s all of those things, and also happens to be autistic. I want to share how Camp Middlesex has become a place where he feels safe and like he belongs.
In summer 2024, he attended Camp Middlesex for one week through a scholarship. On his very first day, he fell on the way into an activity and got pretty scraped up. Because of sensory challenges, even something as simple as a bandaid can be overwhelming for him, and in the past, that would have been enough for him to shut down and want to go home.
But that is not what happened here. With patience, support, and a little time to regulate, he was able to get back up and rejoin his group.
At the end of that week, during the camp’s candlelight ceremony, Dawson was awarded the perseverance award. He was recognized for pushing through something that would normally stop him and for continuing to show up. Seeing him not just included, but celebrated for who he is is something we’ll never forget.
The following week, while attending our local summer program, he experienced bullying related to his autism in a setting where he should have been supported. It was incredibly difficult, and he is still affected by what happened.
Because we had seen what Camp Middlesex gave him, we made the decision to pull him immediately and use our savings to send him back for another week. When we told him he was going back, he cried, saying he was so happy.
In 2025, we saved throughout the entire year to make it possible for him to attend the full summer. He found confidence in theater and dance, fell in love with nature walks and kayaking, and formed meaningful connections with counselors who truly cared about him. Knowing someone was looking out for him every day gave us so much peace of mind.
This year, after being laid off, we weren’t sure how we were going to make it work. Because of A Voice for Mikey and The Mar5 Gratitude Foundation, Dawson gets to return to a place where he is supported, encouraged, and celebrated for exactly who he is.
Our hope for him this summer is that he continues to build confidence, form connections, and grow into himself in a place that really sees him. This isn’t just a summer for him. It’s shaping who he’s becoming.
We are so incredibly grateful for the support and for giving our son a place where he can truly be himself. Because of you, Dawson is ready to have, in his words, “THE BEST SUMMER EVER!”
Jackie Connolly
