by Christa Key
Do you remember what it was like to be a kid in the summer? Kickball in a dusty lot with all of the neighborhood kids? Swimming at the local pool? Racing bicycles around the block? Chasing the ice-cream truck? Playing on a baseball team? Water Skiing? Jump rope? Climbing a tree?
Now imagine never being able to do any of those things. Ever.
Every year, numerous children suffer from muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular diseases. For these children doing the things that other kids do is impossible. Many are in wheelchairs at a very young age and all have a variety of physical needs. As a result, they are often left out of normal childhood activities. The MDA Summer Camp challenges that for a week each summer.
The camp is designed to give kids with these kinds of diseases a place where they can literally feel like a kid. Horseback riding, swimming, boating, adaptive sports, arts and crafts, dances, campfires and more offer these children an unforgettable experience. It offers these children an opportunity to build friendships and increase confidence in a place where they can fit it while at the same time offering their
caretakers a needed break.
Each year more than 3600 children attend MDA summer camps at almost 80 different locations across the country. With absolutely no cost to the children who attend, campers are cared for by a team of health professionals and their very own counselor. Cornerstone is proud to sponsor a child to MDA Summer camp this year.
For more information about the camp, to make a donation or volunteer your time, go to http://mda.org/summer-camp.