Last night after dinner, we gathered for our "Med Discussion." This was an opportunity for the campers to ask questions about the MS medications available, their side effects, as well as make suggestions for each other about managing symptoms, or compare experiences. It was really neat to see everyone interacting with the group. One person even recommended a neurologist for a girl who is moving! How neat!
One of the girls in our group was recently diagnosed, and really didn't know much about Multiple Sclerosis. Through this discussion, and many questions/answers, we were able to help her gain a stronger understanding of the disease she is living with.
What is interesting about this camp, is that we all have some of the same experiences, but we have all experienced them differently. For example, one camper was diagnosed with MS when he was two years old; one was misdiagnosed with cancer before her diagnosis of MS; one went completely blind in one eye; one was diagnosed three weeks ago; one gets dizzy on a daily basis. Each of us has our own version of our story. We were all diagnosed with MS at different ages, different times of the year, different lengths of time, and different severeness.
We don't look like we have any disease, and are told that all the time. "You look healthy!" or "You don't look sick" or "Really? But you look fine!" are all things we hear. Yes, we are fighting a disease every day of our lives. No, we don't show it. MS is one of those diseases you cannot see. We joked about putting a sticker on our foreheads reading "I have MS" that way it would be visual like a cast on a broken arm.
Today, 16 more campers arrived at camp. These 16 campers are returning campers from pervious years. Many know each other, and all are excited to learn about the "newbies." Of course, the "newbies" are excited to learn about the "returnies" too! Most arrived around 4pm, just as we were returning from a day filled with kayaking, swimming, and sun tanning on the beach.
Dinner was filled with friendships being formed, stories being shared, and excitement in the air. I continuously heard others saying "I'm back with my family again!" We truly feel a sense of family while at camp. At camp, we are allowed to put our MS aside, and be ourselves. Everyone understands when a nap needs to be taken, or an ice back in use. No one has to explain to each other why they may be tired in the heat, or why they have poor balance. We all understand the symptoms of MS, and are supportive of one another.
Tonight after dinner the entirety of the campers, staff, and peer mentors gathered for a team building activity, which also served as a way to get to know each other. I took a second and looked around the room. It was inspiring to see 33 people under the age of 25 in the same room, all living with MS. We come from all corners of the country. From Alaska, to Florida, to Minnesota, to New York, to Texas, to Colorado, and from Connecticut, to Maryland, and more, all in the same place being able to connect with each other. 
This reminds me of what I want to do. I want to continue to see this group, or other groups increase. Not because I want more people to be diagnosed with MS (of course not! Why would I want that?!?!?), but to connect those who have already been diagnosed. I want the girl feeling alone in North Carolina to be able to connect with the boy and girl from New York feeling as though they don't fit in with anyone. No one should feel alone. No one should feel like they don't fit in. This doesn't only go for people with MS, but rather any person in any situation. Everyone has something similar to others. It is just a matter of making those connections.
I apologize for the repetitiveness of the last couple of posts, and for the spelling errors. You must understand that I am writing these posts after very long, tiring, eventful, and exciting days! And I am exhausted! With that said, I am off to bed. More tomorrow!
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