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.

[lucid_707]

well john I must it was an extreme privelege to meet you and I was glad all you "elder affected" (im sure you guys will like that one) we there to help us younger and less knowlegable deal with some of the issues we had Im glad we all pulled together and Im glad we all had a chance to meet everyone face to face.
Hopefully these relationships are very permanent and not temporary but we all are linked by one thing, BPI's
I now know that i am not alone and this injury is shared by many others and Im am just glad we are not by ourselves SO THANK YOU ALL !!!! The ones who put it together the ones who attended and everyone who participated in any way .I tip my hat to you.

Tony L

[ubpncathy]

John,
It was a sincere pleasure to meet you and Marlene. You gave such support and insight to others at the camp. Many thanks for having extended yourselves so. I hope you'll be willing to take another road trip in 2005, because DC won't be the same without you two!
Cathy

[PeggyF]

John,
I'm glad that we met also and that you decided to go all the way to NY to share in this wonderful experience.
We will put something together here in WA soon (probably after the holidays) and then again in better weather days.

It was so very good of you to write what you did.
All the best to you and Marlene! Stay in touch )

Peggy

[admin]

Hi John,

I spoke with you for just a few minutes at the picnic on Slim Point. Although we only spoke a few minutes, I remember seeing your face throughout the weekend. Never once did I see you without a smile. It wasn't until the picnic that I realized you have a BPI. My 6 year old son Joshua has a left BPI. It's very heart-warming to see such beautiful smiles on the faces of adults with BPI; just as touching as seeing the kids smiling and playing. I sometimes wonder if Josh's anger toward his disabilty will carry into adulthood; now when I think of Josh as an older gentleman - I see your smiling face and know that Josh's spirit will overcome his disablity. Our experience at camp was immeasurable to any experience since Josh was born.

[admin]

John, meeting you and the other adults at camp brought such huge relief to me as a parent. I often had worried about my son growing up and if he would have a good life as an adult. After meeting such beautiful adults at camp who had made such beautiful lives for themselves I was so relieved - it made me realize that Richard will grow to be one of these beautiful caring thoughtful and successful people too.
Thanks for being there and being so friendly and open to all the other campers.

[Carolyn J]

Hi John and everyone,
And you wonder why I am soooo excited to meet and hug and share????....I am now counting the HOURS!UBPN has changed my life.
~Hugs,
Carolyn J
age 67 & proud of it