Counselor Caitlin and a camper go fishing. Photo is taken from the Post-Star
Here at Double H Ranch, we just finished ‘Camp Inspiration’ which is a special week of camp for ventilator-assisted children and their families. Since the medical needs of these children would be too intense for them to attend our regular camp (which starts at the end of this month) this week is just for them. To make Camp Inspiration possible, we have our doctor and team of nurses on site along with another doctor, lots of volunteer nurses and team of respiratory therapists.
A camper is connected to his ventilator as he swims in the pool, something that his mother says he never gets to do. Photo is taken from the Post-Star
It is certainly the most medically-intense week of camp. Even as I spend time with these kids, it’s hard for me to really grasp that they are on life support and receive oxygen 24/7. I don’t believe I’ve ever even seen a tracheotomy until Camp Inspiration, so it’s been a very special experience for me.
A camper feeds Dixie the guinea pig some grass during my first barn programming of the summer.
We had about 14 campers and their families. In between running the small animal petting program at the barn, I got to spend time with my camper and her parents, and meet the other campers as well. I had met quite a few of the campers a few years ago at Camp Inspiration, and it was really special to hang out with them and their families again.
There is one certain family that inspires me so much, and I imagine there isn’t a person here who isn’t touched by the awesome life they lead. There are 7 people in this family: the parents and their son who is ventilator-assisted, the husband’s brother who has special needs, and then 4 other people who have special needs and have been adopted into the family. I wish I could find the right words to tell you how extraordinary the husband and wife are and how their love for God is being lived out in their lives to such a degree that it just leaves us awe-struck. I think they should write a book, or a blog, or something! They would have much to teach us. Hands down, one of my favourite things about Camp Inspiration is getting to spend time with this incredible family.
With the end of Camp Inspiration, we’re on break for a couple of days. Tomorrow afternoon the rest of the counselors arrive and then we merge into some all staff training.
There is one certain family that inspires me so much, and I imagine there isn’t a person here who isn’t touched by the awesome life they lead. There are 7 people in this family: the parents and their son who is ventilator-assisted, the husband’s brother who has special needs, and then 4 other people who have special needs and have been adopted into the family. I wish I could find the right words to tell you how extraordinary the husband and wife are and how their love for God is being lived out in their lives to such a degree that it just leaves us awe-struck. I think they should write a book, or a blog, or something! They would have much to teach us. Hands down, one of my favourite things about Camp Inspiration is getting to spend time with this incredible family.
With the end of Camp Inspiration, we’re on break for a couple of days. Tomorrow afternoon the rest of the counselors arrive and then we merge into some all staff training.
Squeak the guinea pig strutted his stuff down the runway during our Small Animal Fashion Show in which the kids designed little outfits for the critters.
Click here to read an article from the Post-Star about Camp Inspiration
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