Time-traveling Sean Astin singing along.

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

Prob not in the 1940's :)

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

So happy you enjoyed the pic!

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

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

What a great pic. Whats the story behind it?

Looks like they had a barrel of fun!

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

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

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.

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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The "Devil's Squeezebox"!

Back then they classified accordion players as special needs?

Wow sounds very progressive for the time that's great

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

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

Sean penn

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.

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.

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

Legend

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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Disabled > Special Needs.

Whatever they called it I'm sure was PC at the time.

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."

He doesn’t even look Special Needs

Sounds like it should still be a thing