My Thoughts on Camp

[jep98056]

In her opening remarks at Camp, Nancy predicted that those attending would meet new friends, experience new insights of brachial plexus injuries, and have a lot of fun in the process. She couldn’t have been more correct.

For the first time in my 64 years I finally met someone else with my injury (that person was Kathleen; very appropriate to be greeted by another senior member of the forums!). I found new friendships that I hope to maintain for a long time. I learned details about my injury that have never been shared by a physician before. I discussed my injury with medical professionals and received treatment information and useful advice. I met young adults and boys and girls with injuries similar to mine (it seems that no two BPI's are exactly alike). I was able to share with them some of my life experiences with this injury that I hope were helpful and to show that they too will lead happy, productive lives with BPI. Also, I was able answer questions from parents that hopefully will encourage them to sustain/renew their efforts to reach the maximum possible recovery for their child.

I watched BPI kids talking, laughing, and enjoying themselves with other BPI kids. I saw them out on beautiful Lake George in canoes and kayaks with their Moms and Dads. I watched them on the climbing wall sometimes struggling to reach the top but with a big smile at the same time. I saw them enjoying ice cream on the Mohican and looking for Mars in the clear night sky. I saw them happily dancing to the music of David Roth and Vito Pettrocitto. I saw them gladly roasting their marshmallows for s'mores around the closing camp fire. All of this was just great fun for everyone. I had a blast watching kids being kids!

Camp was also a chance for my wife, Marlene, to meet BPI adults and children and their families. She knows of my experiences but now can better appreciate BPI from the trials and triumphs of others.

Finally, after traveling over 3,000 miles to New York, I met Peggy, Karen, and Sheila and their familiies who also live in Washington State. In fact, Karen lives just minutes away and is a good friend of my niece and brother. Now, that's kind of spooky.

My sincere thanks to Nancy, Cathy, and their 2003 Camp Team for making all this happen. It was an experience I'll always remember.

John P.

[Kathleen M]

John & Marlene

It was a pleasure to meet you both. John your impression of camp is so great. I was sure I would not like it and resisted going in my heart but knew I had to. It turned out to be so much more than I ever expected both for Ralph and I.

I only wish I had know you were both going into NY City we would have arranged to meet up with you or have you over for dinner. I am sorry we missed this opportunity to spend more time with you both.

I agree that spouses gain a great deal from this camp. While they know the challenges we faced over the years they did not realize how much a supportive spouse can make life easier for all of us. So I would not want a miss an opportunity to say what great sports our spouses were during this great long weekend.
David, Tim, Marlene and Ralph should all get some thanks for allowing us all the time to bond and enjoy our little jokes.

See you in camp 2005 and perhaps someone older than us will be here by then!
Kath