Muscular Dystrophy Rehabilitation: Fundamental Details on the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Summer Camp

The words and phrases summer camp yield instant mental pictures of wooden docks on rich green lakes surrounded by woods, cabins filled with bunk-beds, dining halls with screens as opposed to windows and s ‘mores over a campfire. Summer camp is a rite of passage for some, a privilege for many people and an unrealistic hope for others. Almost everyone has heard about the MDA, you remember fondly the Jerry Lewis telethons, and the big electronic donation tally, but did you know that through the donations generated by the MDA 1000s of MDA kids annually get to enjoy camp totally free to their families?

MDA is an abbreviation for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. MDA is a not for profit agency committed to aiding fund research into muscular dystrophy, ALS and nearly 50 other related neuromuscular diseases. MDA scientists are at the leading edge of gene therapy research in addition to helping provide medical services, equipment and support groups. This is in addition to helping provide the funding for MDA summer camps.

Every summer thousands of kids attend many of the 80 camps across the country, all for the low, low cost of 0 dollars, due to the fund raising efforts of MDA. The magic of MDA camps is that for one week a year, children struggling with numerous types of neuromuscular diseases are just kids. Camps are fashioned around activities for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. Lifelong friendships are created around shared ordeals and difficulties.

Many of the many fun activities might include: swimming, boating & canoeing, horse riding, karaoke, archery, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts and campfires. For one week, kids get to spend some time in a world that has been built just for them. Not only that, this could very well be the one week a year their parents get a respite from the continual worry that their child is being effectively taken care of. Having their child in the care of an MDA summer camp created specifically to suit the medical and physical challenges of their disease supplies a kind of secure feeling that is priceless in and of itself.

The MDA has given not only the financial resources to support these camps, but they are already able to reach out to create a network of people ready to volunteer their time to make this experience a reality. By supporting the MDA, you help them make a difference in the future of the disease, but you also help make a tangible real time difference in the lives of the children and families who are living with these challenges on a daily basis.

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