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This summer marks the 17th season that Cady has volunteered
at the Stanley Stamm Children's Hospital Camp.
Founded 37 years ago by Stanley Stamm, MD, a cardiologist
at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center,
the camp provides a welcome change of pace for young
patients with heart disease and cystic fibrosis.
Stamm founded the camp to give his young patients the
opportunity to enjoy the same activities their siblings
enjoy at regular summer camps. The cost for the weeklong
camp is $75, and scholarships are available to families
who need financial assistance.
Cady was recruited as a camp volunteer when Stamm overheard
that she had been a Girl Scout counselor and also played
the guitar. Cady, who suffers from asthma, rheumatoid
arthritis, fibromyalgia and Sjogren's syndrome, also
can relate to the campers ailments.
"I work with a lot of children with asthma and
cystic fibrosis at the camp. We use our inhalers together
and make a game of counting puffs," Cady said.
She is also well-known for playing her guitar before
bedtime and singing the campers to sleep.
Children at the camp enjoy fishing, horseback riding
and an array of other activities. All children are encouraged
to participate despite their limitations
"I remember one summer when a girl with cystic
fibrosis wanted to ride a horse and one of the nurses
walked beside the horse carrying an oxygen tank,"
Cady said.
Mixed in with the happy times are the poignant moments.
Sadly, many young campers succumb to their illnesses
and are remembered by their friends and medical staff,
who plant trees at camp in their memory.
Cady, who is fondly known as "The Bubble Nurse"
for the wand of bubbles she always carries around her
neck, hopes that her zest for life inspires the young
campers.
"The children know I have several chronic illnesses
but they see me blowing bubbles and acting silly at
the camp, and they realize that life can still be good,"
Cady said.
For more information on volunteering at these summer
camps visit their Web sites:
The
Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
Camp
Wonder
Stanley
Stamm Children's Hospital Camp
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