I am taking on a challenge I have dreamed of for years: swimming across the Northumberland Strait. Best of all, I am doing so to fundraise for Camp Brigadoon. 

Brigadoon's mission is to "transform the lives of Atlantic Canadian children and youth living with health conditions and other life challenges to help them reach their full potential through experiential learning, meaningful connections and exceptional fun". 

As both an educator and a parent of an Autistic child with high support needs, I understand the value of Brigadoon's programming for children who cannot always be meaningfully included in typical recreational activities, and/or feel otherwise isolated by their challenges. I also relate deeply to parents who are both in need of respite and dreaming of their children being able to have the kind of worry-free summer fun that most families take for granted.

I have two close friends whose children are attending different camps at Brigadoon this summer, and have set my minimum fundraising goal at $3500: the non-subsidized cost of two campers. 

While I don't anticipate being anywhere near one of the fastest swimmers in the group, I have been training hard, and trust my strength, endurance, and the meditative mindset I fall into as I swim to power me across the strait. 

Read about my swimming journey here: 

https://carlyjsutherland.substack.com/p/if-youre-drowning-the-first-step (there is no link option here so you will have to copy and paste).

I thank you for your contribution, and am proud that by doing something "big", I am helping to support this wonderful cause.