Diabetes Camp Letter

In the summer of 1990, when I was 9  years old, I attended the now defunct Camp Liwidia. I remember a lot of things about camp. Very few of them pertaining to diabetes. I remember on camper in my cabin having a low in the middle of the night. I remember that all of the camp counselors had fanny packs full of test kits and glucose tabs. I remember group testing and injecting before meals.

The envelope the letter was mailed home in.

Other than that I remember normal things about camp. I remember making beaded bracelets and giving mine to my counselor because I liked her so much. I remember learning to kayak on the lake. I remember the campfire songs and the talent contest in which my group lip-synced to New Kids on the Block. 

Sealed with a Mario sticker!

I do remember thinking that I had never met another kid with diabetes and how wonderful it was to be surrounded by other kids with diabetes. It was special. And even in my little kid mind, I knew that.  

Written in pink hi-liter

The best part about camp was running across this letter I wrote home to my parents. This is what it reads:
"8-12-90 Dear Mom and Dad,

Its gerat at camp. wear going canoeing tomrow. I can't wait. I love you both.
Love,
Cara"

Roughly translated: Dear Mom and Dad, It's great at camp. We're going canoeing tomorrow. I can't wait. I love you both. Love, Cara.

I still kind of stink at spelling. :)

As a child, my parents were only able to send me to camp twice. It's expensive, as most of us know, and after my parents divorced it was too much for them to budget, I'm sure. As this year is slipping into summer quickly, I suggest finding a child to help send to camp. You can find a camp near you and donate to their scholarship fund. Help a child with diabetes not only fit in, but feel completely normal, for at least a week.