Camp Courage campers honored in Montgomery

Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow and his wife, Martha, pose for a picture with Christlin Hester, Kendall Palmer and Blaise Murray, the three Franklin County students who participated in the inaugural session of Camp Courage.

On Wednesday, Jan. 15, participants in the inaugural session of Camp Courage, a Helen Keller experience, traveled to Montgomery where they were honored by Gov. Robert Bentley and lawmakers, including state Sen. Roger Bedford and state Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow.

Three Franklin County students – Blaise Murray of Russellville Middle School, Christlin Hester of Phil Campbell Elementary School and Kendall Palmer of Vina Elementary School – were part of that inaugural class and were all presented an award from Gov. Bentley for being part of what Morrow said would be the first of many sessions of Camp Courage.

“My wife, Martha, and I are very excited about Camp Courage and its future,” Morrow said.

“So many children can receive inspiration from Helen Keller’s story and how she overcame so much.

“I have seen how this camp changed not only the campers but their families, too. I think it is a wonderful thing for these amazing kids to get to experience.”

Camp Courage, which was sponsored by the Helen Keller Birthplace Foundation and the American Optometric Association Foundation, in conjunction with the University of North Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is a three-day camp for visually and/or hearing impaired children at Ivy Green, the birthplace of Helen Keller, in Tuscumbia.

During the intensive three-day camp, the campers learned to use their abilities to overcome challenges and to make a difference in the lives of others, as Helen Keller did.

“These children are an inspiration to me,” Morrow said.

“I am proud that we were able to recognize these amazing children for their accomplishments and for the courage that each one of them possesses.”