Bragg Creek Ostomy Camp 2007    

This year I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Ostomy Camp all week. Wow, was it an experience!

The Ostomy Camp is one week at the Easter Seals camp, shared with the kidney kids, making it at a fun filled experience for 70 kids.  This is a picture perfect piece of property tucked just behind Bragg Creek. The campers spend the week, with breathtaking views of the mountains, breathing the mountain air, sleeping in log bungalows, swimming in the pool, swinging from high ropes, climbing rock walls and making lifetime friendships.

This year was titled,  “Extreme” which meant that everything we did was extreme! First we broke into, 4 teams of colors, blue, red, green and orange. Each team focused on one extreme skill, which on the Friday was demonstrated to the whole group.  Being on the blue team, we spent the week practicing Capoeira.  The other groups did, a newsletter,  played extreme sports, and created  a beautiful play. All of which was preformed on the Friday where everyone was able to watch.

The camp was a magical experience for everyone, myself included.  I was so impressed in how everyone was able to let go of their concerns around the privacy of their Ostomys, and kidney problems.  I found that even the children whom at first were somewhat reluctant to open up were able to completely open up and talk about their problems within a day or two. I was also impressed with the ability of the kids to be able to push back their medical issues and just be kids.

Not having my Ostomy until my early 20s,  I missed understanding the kinds of issues that a young person would have to deal with. Now that I have seen firsthand the benefits of this type of Camp I can only say that I feel it is imperative for all of our Ostomy children to have an opportunity to attend such an event. I am honored to know Pat Cimmeck for seeing the need for this and taking the steps towards creating it.  I am also proud of our Calgary Ostomy chapter for sponsoring 2 children to attend each year.

Not everyone will be able to see firsthand this incredible event., so you will have to take my word for it that this was the most amazing week,  I have ever had. The courage, and strength that these children possess touched me deeply in my heart, and I will never forget them. 

Sheri R.