Page 5 - CMTeen_Volume3_Issue1

What
Camp Footprint

Means to Me

By Payton Rule, 18 years old, Belleville, Illinois

I was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth
Disease (CMT) when I was five years old. There
is a lot of beauty living with CMT; however, there
are also unique challenges. Because of my
weak muscles and bad balance, activities most
would consider routine and mundane, such as
climbing stairs without rails or walking on un-
even ground, are significant obstacles for me.
This can make navigating unfamiliar surround-
ings and tasks daunting. So, as you can imag-
ine, when the CMTA approached me with the
idea of flying across the country to a camp I had
never visited before and where I knew next to
no one, I had my reservations. Still, I signed up,
unaware of what I was getting myself into.

The first night I arrived at camp was fairly laid
back as we spent time bonding and getting to
know each other. However, the next morning
we hit the ground running and didn’t stop until
my flight left at the end of the week. We started
every morning with adaptive dancing and spent
the rest of each day participating in a variety of
activities including rock climbing, a high ropes
course, zip lining, hiking, horseback riding and
swimming. At first, I was extremely hesitant Payton Rule, left, and Gellie Hanson enjoyed camp together.
to participate. Would I be able to keep up? Was I physically capable of completing these tasks? As these
thoughts raced through my head, I looked around and realized other people were experiencing similar fears
to mine. That realization was extremely comforting. For one of the first times in my life, my concerns and
physical struggles were the norm. I was not alone. Together, we were able to begin tackling these
challenges. Everyone was really supportive of each other both physically and emotionally. If someone
needed help walking or carrying something, both campers and counselors were happy to lend a hand.
It was empowering to share experiences and conversations with people who understood the blessings
and challenges of life with CMT.

My experiences at camp have taught me many valuable lessons and skills surrounding fear and perspective
that I have carried into my everyday life. Through the challenges of camp, I learned the importance of
stepping outside my comfort zone. The activities that required me to overcome fear were the ones that
ultimately resulted in the most personal growth and satisfaction. The night hike is one memorable example.
Hiking has never been a strength of mine. So, when I was told the cabins were going on a night hike in the
rain, I was a little unsure. However, along with the other campers and counselors, I tackled and stumbled
through the hike and was able to finish it. The fact that I was able to complete what I viewed as a daunting
task built my confidence and showed me that if I am willing to push through my fear and hesitation, I am
capable of achieving anything.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to attend this camp and for the friendships and wise and potent lessons
I took away. This camp reminded me of the power of mindset. I can choose to view CMT as limiting and
bad or I can choose to follow the camp perspective and celebrate and embrace my “funky feet” and all the
other things that come with CMT. And whatever challenges I encounter, I know I will always have my CMT
family behind me.