mda summer camp 2010

MDA summer camp this year was a riot! Shawnie was brave enough to have a volunteer (during the day) so I was asked to be a group leader over a bunch of other campers. We had a lot of fun being in rival groups, somehow she always ended up with our stolen flag and I never once was able to get hers... We both have made some pretty incredible friendships through the years of summer camp so far and have come in contact with some really amazing people. It was fun for me to get to be a part of the preparation and "behind the scenes" as well as to watch Shawnie interacting independently with others, but also to still be a mom at the end of the day (and get a few hugs throughout the day as well...) I am forever grateful for people like our friend Brenda Wilson, who sacrificed a week of her life at a challenging time to come and help and influence a pretty special kid.

One of my favorite camp memories was when my group's flag got stolen and the consequence was that we group leaders had to jump in the pool. Well, Shawnie knows that my ability to stay afloat in any body of water is nill, so she immediately burst into tears, crying because her mom was going to die at summer camp. It took a while to calm her down, and I wore a PFD AND a duckie floatie when I jumped and thanks to Shawnie, the group leaders were very careful with me and all ended well. Good times.



One of the greatest highlights of the week every year is the talent show, and according to everyone at camp, one of the highlights of the talent show is Shawnie and her friend Rylie Carpenter's dance. This year was just as awesome as ever, maybe even the best yet!

mda

We really don't like to ask people for donations for ANYTHING, but MDA has become SUCH an important part of our life and has made a big difference for us already...



Once again we're joining as friends and family to "STRIDE and RIDE" to a cure for Muscular Dystrophy! We're inviting all our friends and family to please join us or make a donation to our efforts for MDA! Together we're providing help and hope to kids like Shawnie who are served by MDA in our community. To donate ANY amount through our team, please visit:
https://www.joinmda.org/2010utahstrideride/meliscrzy

Muscular Dystrophy Association uses these donations to send kids with MD to an incredible week long summer camp each year, to help pay for needed supplies, doctor visits and equipment and support further research. This year, among other things, they contributed $2000 towards Shawnie's new communication device. It is a great cause and benefits many wonderful people with MD who are in need of special help.