About 8 years ago my cousin Emily was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. At first, I didn’t think that it was that big of a deal. She was still able to run and play like any normal child. You couldn’t even tell she had a disease at all. Everything was the same as it had always been. Then, about six months after she was diagnosed, she started shaking real bad. Her teacher even called my aunt Tracy to come pick her up. The school thought she was having small seizures. She wasn’t walking straight either.

My aunt took her to the doctor the next day to see what was wrong with her. The doctor informed her that it was her disease and that the signs or side effects were coming faster than they thought. That’s when I realized that it was a big deal. I was scared for Emily, my aunt and my whole family. The doctor told my aunt that around the age of 16 Emily would have to have a wheelchair. Emily is now 13 and is, and has been, in a wheelchair for a couple of years. She has lost the use of her leg muscles. She can use her arms, but very little. She also has a big problem with talking and holding her head up.

Let’s backtrack just a little. Two years ago is when she was put in the wheelchair and started losing the use of her legs, arms, and neck muscles. I became very close with Emily because I was the only girl cousin she felt comfortable around. I would help her get to the bathroom, get in bed, and anything else that she needed help doing. Most of the time I would even talk for her. I was always making her laugh. That’s been one of my priorities since I found out she has MD. I wanted to make her feel normal like everyone else. There was nothing that the two of us couldn’t do. I went to a lot of Dr. appointments with her and a lot of parties that the MDA would throw, but I felt that wasn’t enough.

 I found out about a camp for children who have MD. So I set it in my mind that she would go. I told my aunt and Emily about it. Right away Emily said no. She is a very shy person. Her disease causes this because she feels like people will judge her and she doesn’t like not being able to do things on her own. I saw videos and watched news broadcasts about this camp and I knew she would have fun. One week every summer she would fit in and feel normal. I was willing to do anything I could to make this happen. She told me no, but I knew she would love it. I just had to find a way to get her there. Every time I would see Emily, after I had made my mind up, I would tell her, ask her, and beg her to go. Finally one day after church our families were eating together and the subject was brought up. Emily is not the type of person to talk to you first or start a conversation, but out of nowhere she looked at me and said, “I have a deal for you”. I was like “Okay. What’s that”? The deal was if I went to the camp and was a counselor, she would go. I almost started crying I was so excited. I just knew she was going to have the time of her life! Don’t get me wrong though. I love her to death, but I just didn’t know if I could handle help taking care of someone else I didn’t know. I had my doubts and second thoughts, but I ended up going. I wasn’t going to let her win so easy.

So, summer came and we both went. She liked it automatically just like I knew she would. I struggled at first. I didn’t want to hurt the camper I was assigned to. After the first day though the older counselors gave me great tips and tons of help.

The week came to an end faster than expected. We were both sad to go. We had made a lot of friends and had a blast. On the ride home I asked Emily if she had fun and if we would be attending the next year. She looked at me with a weird look and said, ”Lindsay are you dumb?” I was like “Huh?” That question threw me off. I just knew she would be saying great things. She then quickly stated that she would go as long as they would let her. We both started laughing and my aunt also joined in. I was so happy that she had fun and would keep going. Now she starts getting ready for camp the day after she leaves!

I’m glad that just one week of my time made a big difference in her life, and that camp made an even bigger one. That year, week, or whatever you want to call it, also changed my life. I’m now 19 years old and attending college. I want to become a nurse. One of the many reasons is that at that camp I realized they were short on the nursing staff. This year they almost had to cancel camp because not enough volunteers were signing up. So after I graduate, I plan on becoming a nurse on their staff. That way I can help change the lives of children and teenagers.

Lindsay
Contact Author