John Evoy (Johnny Sunshine)

The role played by the staff and of course the facility itself, can only be measured by the positive results of its patients.  This camp though originally designed to serve as a safe and friendly country environment for underprivileged children, showed its true colours when changed to facilitate children who contracted polio, paralysis of one form or another, or other disabilities.  This rehabilitation centre was certainly up to the task of giving not only hope, help in strengthening muscles through physiotherapy, but provided a mental healing as well.  This could not have been done, but for the dedicated, and professional staff who cared, and were so very determined, to help alleviate as much stress on their patients minds, as they were in making their weak and damaged muscles productive.  I believe they were trained to incorporate both the mind and the body to achieve the results they desired, and certainly did both. 

I, having been to The Sunshine Camp, as an underprivileged child, have only fond memories of the buildings, the playground, the swimming pond, and of course the staff and volunteers who made a little boy, so very happy, in a most wonderful setting. 

Having contracted Polio as a baby, I had approximately 23 operations and many, many months of physiotherapy.  The last memories of treatments were at the Orthopaedic, and eventually at the Sunshine Camp.  I can write, all day, and all night as well, to try and offer my thanks to the staff who through their own determination and expertise, carved the freedom of life for myself and thousands of others. 

I remember the trees, the smell of the woods, the trips to the playground, and further on to the swimming pond, with the tarpaulin bottom, the gymnastic rings, next to the swings, where I could do spins like an athlete, and make complete revolutions, because my arms were so powerful due to the physical exercise necessary through physiotherapy.  I remember sending the local children across the street to Sharpes store to purchase chewing gum, and Brilcreame.  I stayed for a time at Steve Sharpes farm, a little ways down the road from his brother's store. 

I can remember only Ms  Dawson, I thought her to be from England, and Doctor Shapter, who once asked me how tall  my father was, of which I replied, "About as short as you Doctor".  He was doing his rounds at the time, and broke out in loud laughter, along with his staff.  I at the time did not know what the joke was, and the punch line didn't sink in until a number of years later. 

I made many friends at the Camp and enjoyed the company, probably because we were all equals in our eyes, and not judged, pitied, or discriminated.  We were educated, entertained, and entertaining, exercised rigorously, fed, washed, treated with respect and loved.  What more could anyone ask for in this life.

I have vivid memories of pain, but only at first, having been encased in a body cast for months, and then eased into physiotherapy  treatment, with muscles not knowing how to react to stress applied by the staff.  I had frequent bouts of depression, and showed anger to the staff who I believed to have caused this discomfort.  How very wrong I was, and how patient they were with my anger.  In the time frame of about six months, I went from being "Stiff as a Board", to being able to function as completely normal as I thought normal could be.  I can never repay their dedication to duty and the results they achieved.  Their help has never been forgotten.  Having now reflected, I would wish to thank all of the staff personally, the van drivers, the man who cut our hair, the kitchen staff, the cleaners, the nurses, assistant nurses, teachers, physiotherapists, doctors, everyone I may have left out, but to put a name on all, or even most of them, I cannot. 

I was young, only l4 years of age at the time, and unable to express my gratitude, but to say thank you, when I walked out.  I guess, this is only what I can say now, but having reflected the past 62 years, I really owe the staff at the Sunshine Camp more than these few words, but if I could address them all now I would say thanks for my life, my family, my will and determination to be taken care of in such a loving way, you did make a difference, and every day I am able to walk, you still are making a difference.

I thank you for your reminding me, and making me aware of just how well I was treated at the Sunshine Camp, and how grateful I really am.  Thank you    

Sincerely

John (Johnny Sunshine) Evoy