Wheelchair Sports Camp - Week of July 22nd

Summer Camp: "Where every challenge is an invitation to grow, and every activity, a chance to glow."

Since Cameron's extended hospital stay canceled one of his planned camps, he was relieved that Wheelchair Sports Camp was still on the agenda for this week. 

Wheelchair adaptive sports, also known as adaptive sports or parasports, are sports that have been modified to allow individuals with physical disabilities to participate. Wheelchair adaptive sports can be beneficial for individuals with physical disabilities in a number of ways, and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital strongly supports wheelchair adaptive sports. They can help improve physical fitness, strength, and coordination. 

They can also provide a sense of achievement, boost self-esteem and confidence, and promote socialization and a sense of community. These sports are designed to be inclusive and provide the same level of competition and enjoyment for individuals using wheelchairs as for those who do not.  Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports is one of the largest programs of its kind in the United States. This was the 40th year anniversary, so the camp shirts were extra special with a new logo.

The 7-18 year old kids are divided up into groups based on age brackets.  Monday through Thursday, a packed schedule is followed beginning at 8am and ending at 4pm daily.

Cameron was assigned to Group A and a longtime friend, April, was right by his side.  A nurse they both met last year, Ms. Morgan, was dedicated to their band of older teens.  

Each day, a different sport was associated with every hour.  

Monday included cycling, dodgeball, lacrosse, basketball and handball.  

Tuesday's agenda was dodgeball, pickleball, basketball and softball.  Cam had to forgo kayaking that day due to his surgery.  

The line-up for Wednesday: basketball, tennis, cycling, football and team handball.  

Thursday rounded things out with a day of tennis, team handball, cycling, basketball and softball.  Then, the last thirty minutes of the afternoon was spent with the Allendale Fire Department.  The annual event focuses on two fire trucks dispersing hundreds of gallons of water onto the attendees.  It was such a warm day, the refreshing coolness made everyone smile.

Cam experienced some personal challenges during the week, learning to use his arms and hands in different ways with his baclofen pump.  He persevered with the help of his friends and Ms. Morgan and definitely felt successful by the end of his time spent there.

Friday morning, tennis, dodgeball and basketball were all in full rotation.  Parents were invited for the certificate ceremony that took place after lunch.  Chris and Jane were both in attendance.  It was so interesting to hear the history from 40 years ago and the trailblazers who launched the Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp.  Cam already requested a reservation for next year's session.

Saturday evening, we welcomed our dear friends we call family from North Carolina.  Jane's lifelong friend, Leslie and her husband Wes, along with daughters Erin, Ali and Ali's fiance, Daree were renting our family cottage for the next week. 

After breakfast on Sunday, multiple vehicles made their way to Montague.  We enjoyed a picnic lunch with our cousins and made our way down to the beach.  Cam was in his beach chair for the very first time this summer.  Although he couldn't fully submerge in the lake yet, it wasn't too much of a loss based on the cooler water temp.  The North Carolina crew couldn't believe how much beach there was.

The Weatherford fam had to depart earlier than usual that late afternoon.  Chris and Jane were headed to an outdoor concert at the Meijer Gardens.  Cam's directive took him to Culver's for a tasty dinner pick-up and hang out time with Ms. Kaylee.

It was a big week for Cameron and by Sunday night, he was very ready for an earlier than normal respite!

Camology Quotes:

Cam's surgical implant has created many benefits.  It has, however, led to a bit of frustration due to the change of his muscle tone.  Using the cycle at sports camp this year was much different from last summer. The first day he tried cycling, he felt like he was going to fall off the bike.  He was determined, though, and after multiple practice sessions, by the end of the week, he conquered it. 

"Mom, did Ms. Morgan send you the video? I did it!"