Letters to Courage

  • 3 posts in this category
08
Jan

A Courager's Thank You Note

Posted on in Letters to Courage

Dear Kids of Courage,

Words cannot adequately express my heartfelt appreciation for the wonderful time I had on the ski trip and on other trips that I have been on. I had a truly amazing time on each of these trips. I was truly touched by the warmth, love and kindness that each staff member gave to the campers throughout the whole trip. If not for Kids of Courage, I wouldn’t know what I can possibly achieve if I just tried. Kids of Courage makes it possible to forget that all of us have disabilities that limit us in what we are able to do. With Kids of Courage, there are no limits. Kids of Courage does not say “We can't or we can”, they say “we will”. Kids of Courage makes a persons dreams come true.

A huge thank you to all the counselors, division heads, program directors, medical team and anyone else I may have left out. A special thank you to my counselors Raizy Schachner and Miriam Koff for being the best counselors and friends ever.

I love you all so much!!!!

Love always and forever,

Rochel Blimi Lewi

Kids of Courage is an all-volunteer organization, dedicated to the support of sick children and their families, day and night, 365 days a year. Founded in 2008, Kids of Courage is committed to change the way people look at illness, and open up a world of support, hope and opportunity for every sick child and family, no matter how serious the diagnosis is. You can donate here to create smiles.                                 

04
Jul

Personal Notes from a Parent

Posted on in Letters to Courage

 

The Kids of Courage article in the 5 Towns Jewish Times (issued 27 February 2009) highlighted several elements of the west coast trip, including the mission of Kids of Courage, the dedication of the entire staff, and, particularly, the vision and expert planning of a few special individuals who made it all happen. The article was a good start, but, as a witness, all that was written was an understatement of reality. Having delivered my son Itzy to the Kids of Courage staff that late Sunday afternoon, I was able to witness the mission, the dedication and the results of expert planning. I also witnessed the response from the guests of honor - the kids of courage. What I saw was quite indescribable. (I mentioned to Howie that I was watching the group dynamics and Sunday program with my mouth open in awe. He said before I leave I should put some food in my open mouth). Mind you I only caught a glimpse of that special week as I was just there to deliver my son. However, I did get quite an earful from my Itzy. In fact, he is still talking about the trip, and I would predict he will continue to go on and on about the events, the gifts, and, mostly, about his time with the boys. This last item - his time with the boys - cannot be emphasized enough. The camaraderie was the hidden story, not mentioned in the article, but was probably more significant that the events and the toys. The Kids of Courage organization, leaders and staff, organizers and financial sponsors, should know they provided a vehicle for both tangible and hidden goodness that the trip provided. It was clear the planning and execution represented an enormous effort. I hope they realize how much success was achieved !

Stuart Cagen, Ph.D.

Senior Toxicologist
Shell Health
One Shell Plaza
910 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002

Telephone: 1-713-241-1407
Fax: 1-713-241-1596
Mobile: 1-832-646-3987

email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

04
Sep

Vacation of a Life Time

Posted on in Letters to Courage

Vacation of a Life Time

by Sarah Solomon and Hudi Aryeh (campers)
 
Imagine not being able to go on your next vacation because flying means that your lungs might explode. Or imagine that in order to get clearance to take that step onto the airplane, you need a personal doctor to fly alongside with you. These are the ramifications my friends have to consider. This month, these remarkable friends accompanied me to Los Angeles as part of the Kids of Courage trip, a once-in a-lifetime experience we will never forget.
 
I traveled with twenty four special needs children and adults. Most of the participants on the trip have a genetic disease called familial dysautonomia (FD), a condition that does not allow the body to regulate everyday functions, such as blood pressure, which most people take for granted. Individuals with this type of disability do not usually get to take vacations, especially those that require traveling on airplanes, because of the risks mentioned above. Not only is the flight a problem, but most parents who have children with disabilities do not allow them to spend the night away with friends due to the complications that might occur.
 
Living with a disability, I know the challenges that come along with it. What most activities people take for granted, my friends and I yearn to be a part of. Simple mundane acts like sleepovers, school overnights, or just family vacations are a few of these activities that healthy teenagers and young adults get to experience.
 
This year, a new organization called Kids of Courage was established in order to finally give disabled people a chance to have adventure in life. Kids of Courage was started by a group of wonderful people who believe that just because someone has a disability, it does not mean that the thrills of life should be a foreign concept to him or her. Therefore, as a commencement trip, twenty-four disabled people ranging from ages eight to twenty-five, were taken on the trip of their lives.
 
Participants were paired up with a counselor who was briefed and trained about their medical history, efficiently preparing them to provide the proper care. These incredible counselors were volunteers who took off a week from their busy schedules so that this unforgettable trip could transpire. The love and care my counselor provided was indescribable. Similarly, the entire staff exuded immense sensitivity and warmth, which left me truly amazed. They made the trip so much fun with their fervent enthusiasm, wild displays of lunacy and ceaseless energy; the excitement never ended. 
 
The trip consisted of a four night stay at a hotel in Los Angeles, as well as day trips to Sea World, Universal Studios and Disneyland. Each day was filled with fun and laughter. My friends and I were finally given the chance to have fun like everyone else around us. Of course, being in a group with twenty four special needs participants grabs much attention from the general public. We definitely got stared at; there were moments when we even got more attention than the performers in the show we are all watching. However, being 21 years old, I have been accustomed to getting stared at a lot in life, but this time the staring felt somewhat different. I felt that those watching us were in awe, amazed to see what they saw. Because despite the conspicuous medical equipment the participants were attached to, such as, heart machines, breathing machines and feeding tubes, we did not let it get in the way of us having fun. We received the utmost care from the workers in the parks. They were there to greet us with a welcoming smile, making sure the trip was a smooth ride. This to me was also an unbelievable experience in itself- being that there was so many of us that needed special treatment, and the parks agreed to be there for us rather than turn us down.
 
Being one of the oldest participants on the trip, I felt that it was up to me to show the younger children how to make the most out of the experience. I took it upon myself to cheer for our extraordinary group wherever we went. I felt that these cheers not only helped keep the group upbeat, but it also showed the people around us that just because someone is confined to a wheelchair, it certainly does not mean he or she is doomed to a humdrum existence. However, being captain of the cheering squad came with consequences, such as losing my voice and coming down with pneumonia. Yet, despite all that, I can honestly say that in the end it was worth every strained vocal cord and tired muscle in my body. I consider those “wounds” my badge as a Kid of Courage. This phenomenal trip was the most enjoyable and uplifting experience I have ever had in my 21 years of living, and I am forever grateful.