CAMP CRESCENT MOON WORLD GAMES

This is my favorite time of the year. School is out and camps begin. I'm not talking about the Mitt Romney or the Donald Trump kids type camp. Not even scouting camps. I can remember going to Scouting Camp and almost coming home each year calling myself a failure because I never stayed the full amount of days due to crisis pain, too much excitement and chills from swimming in the lake. I would be devastated. Kids would tease me and say I was a "Weakling" then the rumors would start about the length of time I had to live. The bet was from 14-18 years old. Each year I celebrated their loss bet; however some children, including myself, have been scarred emotionally for many years.
   
You see in the 60's, camps had no idea of what was required to treat children with different diseases like SCD. Most Black Scouting Camps (in the south) had no doctors, counselors, teachers, etc. who were able to care for a camper who may have become ill. You had minimum staff and minimum equipment.
   
Going to SCD camps now, although under-funded, is a lifelong benefit in psycho-social behavior and coping skills which enable our children to live fuller lives. My children have been campers, volunteer counselors and administrators at Camp Crescent Moon (Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of California) since they were old enough to attend. Each year has been a labor of love for my family. Their appreciation for Sickle Cell Disease continues to grow.
   
Kids who attend camp look forward to meeting their peers who have SCD. They know they won't be bullied or teased because of their disease, unlike the humiliation I experienced 45 years ago.  They know the doctors, nurses, counselors, staff and all who volunteer without pay for that week are there because they love them and not because they sympathize with them.  Looking at each year's photos and hearing the wonderful stories warm my heart to no end and reinforces the importance of Sickle Cell Camps.  You see when I was growing up I had nothing to compare my Scouting days with. Suffice it to say, Black Scouting presented me the opportunity to grow into a young adult much like SCD camp does for the new generation of Sickle Cell Patients.


During the remainder of the summer or throughout the year you may have an opportunity to support your local state Sickle Cell Foundation.  Take the time to look at some of the photos or listen to testimonials and you will be convinced that this cause is worthy of your support.   http://1chanceonly-bigdaddy54.blogspot.com