Camp Courage

AMAZING!! That is really all that can be said regarding this weekend. What a blessing to be surrounded by people who not only understand your child's disability, but live it. We were at Maple Lake Camp Courage this weekend for the yearly TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) camp. All of the families there have a child with a TBI. The affected children just got to have an amazing time in an environment where everyone understands their needs. The siblings got to spend a weekend having a wonderful time in an environment where they do not have to explain their siblings behaviors or needs to anyone. Just have fun!

Having an environment that is both physically and emotionally so safe and supportive for Carlos was a priceless experience. We will defiently go back every year. We met so many wonderful and couraguous families, what a blessing to develop this support system. Most of the children received their injuries in car accidents. It was heartbreaking to hear these parents speak of their guilt and regret. In one family Mom collided with a snowplow, She had minor injuries, her son had no injuries. Her daughter (then three) had a profound head injury. Her child had been a typcially developing three year old until that point. Suddenly she has almost no use of her limbs, has lost her language abilities and is blind and tube fed. I pray that mom can move past her guilt (it has now been 6 years since the accident) but I know as a mom this could be almost impossible. Their younger child has also been profoundly affected, and actually tells people that "mom did this to my sister". It seemed that the family was suffering with a lot of blame and guilt. It broke my heart.

I should say the weekend was NOT a pity party, it was a chance to talk about our amazing children, most who were not expected to survive their injuries. In their own way, each is now thriving. It was a weekend of celebration and emotional healing. We have waited for three years to get a spot at the camp, and found it to be one of the most amazing experiences we have had as a family. The camp simply blessed us, without a doubt, we will be back every year. No scrap pages today, just some fun pics from camp :0) Included is a pic of a little boy named Mikey, I found him to be so endearing as he reminds me of my son. He becomes very fixated on things that excite him. Our golf cart excited him, especially once I explained to him that the flames make it go faster. He knew where the cart was every moment, LOL! Saturday night when schedueled events were over, we were too tired to do anything but go to bed. Mikey's family was headed up to the pool. We were thrilled to hand over the golf cart to his family, Mikey was beside himself! I have a picture in my head of Mikey waiting at the gate for us next year when we arrive, well, I guess it will be the golf cart he is waiting for :0) Blessings to all of you! Please give your kids an extra hug and kiss today, but for the grace of God you go here. None of us ever dreamed our children would become statistics. Blessings! -DeAnna

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