From ‘Know Your Limits’ to No Limits!

“I was 13 when I was diagnosed with my second bout of cancer—sarcoma on my shoulder. I also had kidney cancer when I was three years old back in Saudi Arabia.

My whole life I’ve known I’m different from other kids, and I’ve often felt alienated and alone. With camp, that feeling disappears. I don’t have to explain my strict medication schedule or my physical disability. That feeling of belonging is more powerful than you can possibly imagine.

And when you feel safe and comfortable, there really are no limits to the adventures you can have at camp!” says ZeZe, one of Campfire Circle’s teen campers.

ZeZe’s connection to camp began with activities, like making shrink art, while at the hospital. When she was discharged, Zeze’s mom, Sarab, would receive emails from Campfire Circle and the programs available for ZeZze and their whole family.

“I was very hesitant at first, especially since this was her second time with cancer. She would be away from me for a long time. And she had just finished chemo, and so I was bit worried,” recalls Sarab. “But I had to remind myself: these are people related to the hospital. They will take care of her better than I can. If something happens, they will have everything she could need. So that was my piece of mind.”

As ZeZe was getting ready for camp, Sarab reminded her, “ZeZe, know your limits.” But at camp, ZeZe got caught up in the excitement of going out on the boat for waterskiing.

“At first, I was just planning on enjoying the boat ride, but at every step, they were there to help me, without making a fuss. Soon, I was on the waterski, even with my frozen shoulder! Everyone needed help getting their skis on…none of it was a big deal. They said, ‘Hey, if your arm gets tired just let go, we’ll catch you,’ or ‘Oh, hold the rope like this, it will be easier for you, and if you do fall, you’ll get less water up your nose!’ says ZeZe. “That’s how it feels to have the people at camp see me and celebrate me without any pity, ever. Camp allows me to have experiences I otherwise wouldn’t. Camp makes me look at my cancer as not just a bad thing,” says ZeZe.

“Camp is very much a part of my treatment. It’s medicine. In every other part of my life, every single day, I’m reminded of how I’m different. I have a disability. I do know my limits. But at camp, I waterski, I climb the ropes course, I go on long and challenging canoe trips where I get a million mosquito bites and portage canoes. Camp makes me feel confident, and no one ever makes a fuss about any adapted equipment or a little extra help I need—they just make me feel normal. Because I am normal.”

Programs for Teens and Young Adults

ZeZe is one of the many teens we will see this summer. On top of making new friends who have had similar childhood experiences, learning new skills and gaining self-confidence, teens are able to participate in valuable leadership programs with the same intentional programming we have for kids with cancer or serious illness.

Donate today to help teens like ZeZe develop life-long skills to help them prepare for the future. With summer just around the corner, your gift will help us double the number of teens we can serve at camp.