Brittany Parks’ story is remarkable, not only for the number of heartbreaking circumstances she’s faced in her 23 years, but also because of the upbeat attitude she’s maintained in spite of these difficult times.
A trying beginning
when brittany was just 8 years-old,
her mother went for a routine visit to her doctor and was blindsided with a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
This development shattered any sense of stability in Brittany’s life. Her mother could no longer work and they lost their apartment. The small family bounced from shelter to shelter, at times staying at a location for just a few days before moving on.
Finally, after two years of homelessness and uncertainty, Brittany and her mother received some respite when they were placed in Section 8 government-subsidized housing. Unfortunately their struggles were far from over.
Brittany’s mother was in remission but not healthy. And at the age of 14 Brittany started experiencing chronic headaches so severe she was hospitalized for weeks at a time. Despite years of MRIs, CAT scans, and spinal taps, her doctors were unable to diagnose the problem.
Brittany was forced to do home instruction for school rather than attend classes. The constant pain and isolation began to wear on her, and she felt herself slipping into depression. Luckily, she found a source of support that helped her keep a positive outlook—The Salvation Army.
A beacon of light
when brittany was a kid, Salvation Army staff came door-to-door in her neighborhood to tell families about the services their organization offered.
That’s how as a young girl she discovered a Salvation Army sleepaway camp designed to give city youth from low-income families a chance to enjoy an authentic outdoor experience. Brittany connected with the camp
to such an extent that when she grew old enough she became a member of the kitchen staff and then later a counselor. She’s been employed at the facility every summer for the past ten years.
The best part of the camp in Brittany’s eyes is that it relieves campers of the stresses of their daily lives. She explains that camp gives urban youngsters a chance to lie in fields of grass for the first time, breathe in fresh air, and enjoy activities like soccer and crafts.
At camp, kids know they will have three square meals and a safe place to sleep. They know they can talk to counselors about any issues they face at home. For once, they can let go of the adult burdens many of them carry.
“A lot of kids are not able to be children at home because they have to watch over their younger siblings,” Brittany said.
The campers’ resilience helps Brittany put the trying events of her life into perspective. “I’ve gone through things,” she said. “But there are kids who have gone through worse things. I feel if they can do it, I can do it too.”