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OblongPencil OP t1_ixsxyzb wrote

So happy you enjoyed the pic!

While my Grandpa still could, he would always bust out the accordion at family gatherings!!

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Sea-Resource5933 t1_ixt7jsm wrote

Your granddad was a handsome guy! He must be a good guy to volunteer, what a thoughtful thing to do.

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OblongPencil OP t1_ixta502 wrote

Thank you so much :). He was a wonderful man. Unfortunately he passed away during Covid at the young age of 95! He and Grandma were married for 68 years. She passed a couple months after him at 94. I miss them very much but pictures like this remind me of how proud I am to have been his grandson.

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mb_60 t1_ixsug23 wrote

My mom was born in ‘38. She’s played the piano accordion since she was 5 and still plays. I love this pic 💕

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justabill71 t1_ixssta4 wrote

Time-traveling Sean Astin singing along.

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SplodyPants t1_ixst1hq wrote

You know they didn't call it a "Special Needs Camp" though.

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OblongPencil OP t1_ixsy83k wrote

You’re probably right. Certainly a different time back then, though still plenty of joy to be had!

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Skeeter4321 t1_ixt1kdo wrote

What a great pic. Whats the story behind it?

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OblongPencil OP t1_ixt9qlp wrote

I just spoke with my mom about it to get some of the backstory!

She believes this was in 1948. The camp was located just outside of Buffalo, NY. The premise of the camp was for those who were able-bodied to learn from those who had physical and mental disabilities.

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CIMARUTA t1_ixu4m0l wrote

Wow sounds very progressive for the time that's great

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Skeeter4321 t1_ixuimnn wrote

I've never even heard of this. I wish I knew what your Grandfather learned from the experience. He looks like hes having a great time.

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Imthatjohnnie t1_ixt53k9 wrote

Mama's got a squeeze box She wears on her chest And when daddy comes home He never gets no rest 'Cause she's playing all night And the music's all right Mama's got a squeeze box Daddy never sleeps at night

Well the kids don't eat And the dog can't sleep There's no escape from the music In the whole damn street

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fuggerdug t1_ixuci05 wrote

You know, I'm beginning to think that's not really about a musical instrument.

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nectarsalt t1_ixui3jo wrote

What a lovely photo! My uncle had Down Syndrome and he attended a camp like this in the 60s and 70s. The world needs more folks like your grandpa.

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Ceskaz t1_ixujter wrote

That's so much better than all the hot/fancy relatives pics we usually find here

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dubcek_moo t1_ixtto35 wrote

The "Devil's Squeezebox"!

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More_Cowbell8 t1_ixv6b0s wrote

I read 'special speeds' summer camp. "He learned to play his accordion with lightning speed & unmatched agility, or there were no marshmallows around the fire for any campers at night."

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Hymenhorse t1_ixwgfd5 wrote

He doesn’t even look Special Needs

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[deleted] t1_ixum6pq wrote

Hobbits at Crickhollow celebrating their plans to leave the Shire unarmed into the Old Forest while being pursued by the Nazgûl

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fritobugger t1_ixu04qr wrote

Back then they classified accordion players as special needs?

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devicehigh t1_ixu5apn wrote

Why does everyone on Reddit think they’re a comedian?

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