“When you’re living in a way that displays
your uniqueness and uses your talents in that purpose, you’re living in your
sweet spot.” –Max Lucado
Every person at camp has a different set of
skills and talents that are not perfect alone, but when you combine all of us
together to make one unit, we end up with a group that can take on anything! This
summer has truly allowed me to see more and more where my talents lie. I think
that I have realized this summer just how much we take for granted simply
because we can. Not everyone has the same opportunities that we do, but they
all deserve as much of a chance to do things and be their own person. Things as
simple as leaving camp to go to the grocery store or dinner at a restaurant now
involve so much more thought than before. I am constantly wondering what a
family would do if a child had a certain disability in a situation. It is crazy
to think about having to change the diaper of a 14 year old, but it happens,
and restaurant bathrooms do not make it easy. I think I am realizing more and
more how important those adaptations are to me and how much I want to improve
the quality of life for all of these people.
Another thing I have learned that sometimes
it is really hard for me to do what is best for the kids, because sometimes it
is the opposite of what my supervisors tell me. During neurology week we had a
little girl who required a great deal of care because she had multiple
diagnoses including autism and fetal alcohol syndrome. It was a really
challenging case, that even though she was a truly beautiful child both inside
and out, required a lot of supervision. When it was our cabins turn to go to
the barn, she was not responding to any of the other 6 counselors, the 4 barn
supervisors, or either of the 2 nurses. She had no interest in getting on that
horse. I am allergic to horses and so generally as a rule I avoid the barn and
wait outside so that I do not have a reaction. However, that day I happened to
walk in to bring another camper their water bottle. When the little girl saw
me, she began to call out for me and ask me to come where she was. My
supervisor told me not to do so because I could have a reaction, but seeing her
and knowing I might be able to get her on the horse became more important to
me. I knew I might have to take my inhaler later, but it would be worth it to
see her riding the horse and happy. There were a couple of other instances that
week when people encouraged me to take a break or walk away from her when she
needed me and I completely ignored it. Looking back, I probably should have
taken their advice, and I admit that for some of the situations I was probably
wrong. However, at the same time, I can honestly look back at the summer and
say that I put the campers first in every single situation.
Just
a few more weeks left, but plenty of time to rock! “Yeah team!”J
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