United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

here it is in a nutshell:

<big smile on face>
"Mom, can't talk to you now, gotta go somewhere with my friends."

This is exactly why I went to camp -- Maia needed to connect with her peers and she did and had a tremendous indescribable time at camp. She asked me when the next one was and I said - in 2 years - and she frowned and said "you're kidding me -- two years???"

It was really different from previous camps - the place was just perfect - the weather was perfect. UBPN board members were so energetic and exciting and fabulous. We have this great new rap song now. We have children who experienced success doing things that just wasn't reachable before ---- zip lines and wall climbing, etc. There were some incredible motivational speakers -- unbelievable actually. We had so many types of sharing circles - amazing. The rooms were good, food excellent - lake beautiful - employees there were so amazing. The activiies were fun and some challenging.

Everyone melded together - we were all present to each other - even the kids -- can you imagine a whole pile of little kids staying up til midnight listening to speakers? they did - they loved it - they asked great questions - they experienced it fully! those kids were amazing!

I am exhausted yet so fulfilled and so glad we went. I can't wait to see the pictures and everything so I can re-experience it again and again....

I can't thank UBPN enough for this fabulous weekend.
I'm crossing off the back of my t-shirt's "I found my way" to "it was an experience beyond words"

I hope everyone gets their pictures in public sharing places and posts the links so we can see it all.... (like kodak or shutter bug or those kinds of sharing places)

-francine

I second that Fran! I had a great time even though I spent most of it with "Buzz" on the playground and had to leave early! Brayden has been asking me all day if we can go back to "camp school" tomorrow! It was great to meet some people in person and to meet new friends! Thanks Anise for talking me into coming for what little time I was able to come! I am looking forward to doing it again!

Yes! After an amazing weekend, and a little nap, I couldn't wait to get online to post what an excellent time I had with all of my new "family". I believe that beyond the planning to bring camp to the families, the families that came MADE camp exactly what it was this year, an unbelievable experience for us all. I had a great time and it was a joy to finally meet all the faces behind the messages. I am saddened that camp is over (what shall I do with all my time now?) but I am already looking forward to our next camp.

SAY IT AGAIN, CAMP UBPN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (ok..only campers would understand!)

I have created a Shutterfly account and added lots of camp photos! http://cameronssmile.shutterfly.com/

Kudos to Anise and Claudia for an inspirational, fun, relaxing, educational weekend. Thanks to everyone, including sponsors and awesome speakers that made it possible! Cameron and I had a great time!

i didnt want to leave this morning!! i had an awesome time at camp and i miss everyone already. it was nice to feel accepted and unified, for once... im happy that everyone was so encouraging, or else i probably wouldnt have made it to the zipline, which i wanted to do so bad!! i did it and i think that was my biggest achievement this weekend. let me tell you, i hurt today... soooo bad! but i wouldnt take it back, the experience was too awesome. i dont think id change a thing about this weekend it was too awesome to describe, and im proud of all the kids and adults too for trying things!! everyone was just inspirational and just the atmosphere was full of love and caring... it was great!! Thank you everyone!!

It was, without a doubt, one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Great to met Marieke, Mel, Judy, Jenn & Vik, Matt & Emily, David, Paul & Denise, Tracy, and all the other grown up kids. I also enjoyed meeting and getting to know the parents much more than I had anticipated. They were a huge encouragements! Thanks Claudia, Anise, Rich, Judy and everyone else who worked on putting together Camp 2010! We will be at the next one!

I too feel the exact same way as others. Though it is truly hard to put into words (that is why I hardly post). Camp for us was incredible. And that is for every single one of us. Both Franky and I took more from camp then I ever thought possible. From therapy tips to the comforting words of others who have really been there and have come out on the other side. It was a phenomenal place to be. Even if you didn’t participate in anything, to sit and watch the kids interact. They were just comfortable in their own skin. It was so great to see them "Find their way". When they all started dancing to Cary's song I was so overwhelmed with emotion.

This was our first camp and I didn’t ever imagine it'd be as great as it was. We've made lifelong friends

I have to admit, I went to camp under the impression that i was just "supporting" my wife; that camp weekend was for her and I would just hang out, maybe read or listen to my iPod or do a couple of the available activities.

I had no idea I would get so much out of it for myself. Although Lisa and I have been married for 11 years and have been friends for nearly a quarter of a century, I feel like I now understand so much better how her injury has shaped her, both in the few ways it has limited her, and the major ways it has taught her to find new and different ways to accomplish everyday tasks.

I really enjoyed the camp, meeting so many great people, and Lisa and I can't wait for the next one!

I have just joined shutterfly for recently adopted twin "Grands". ...so Thank you Anise for posting more of your Camp pictures...I cannot get enough of that JOY in everyone's faces.
YOU and Cary ROCK!
Carolyn J
LOBPI/72