FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2002 — MDA

Local residents enjoy MDA Summer Camp

Lake Orion, MI — Trisha Glynn, 24, and Kristie Fader, 31, of Lake Orion, would not have met if they did not attend MDA summer camps. Today they’re living as roommates and best friends in their own Lake Orion apartment.

They both attended MDA Summer Camp through much of their childhood and early adulthood, but they didn’t meet until they attended MDA’s adult camp last year. The adult camp, Volunteers Assisting the Disabled (VAD), takes place July 28-Aug.3 at the YWCA Camp Cavell in Lexington, Mich. Two sessions of the children’s camp, also at Camp Cavell, ran from June 16-22 and June 23-29.

Young people ages 6 - 21 with neuromuscular disease have attended MDA summer camps since 1955. Hundreds of volunteers staff the camps and donate countless hours to ensure that each camper enjoys activities tailored to his or her special needs. Campers play a wide range of games including euchre, football and softball, and participate in other activities such as a magic show, crafts and a tug-of-war.

Glynn said although the adult camp is very similar to the children’s camp, VAD camp tends to be a bit more relaxing.

“(The two camps) are pretty much the same, but the adult camp is more laid back because there are more older people,” she said. “People are older at VAD camp but we have as much fun as the kids do here.”

Glynn and Fader paid a visit to their old camp friends during the second session of the children’s camp. They attended the camp’s “VIP Appreciation Day” June 26 where campers and volunteers welcomed family, friends and fellow MDA sponsors to thank them for all their support and show them what camp is all about. Activities for the day included a special lunch, Harley motorcycle ride, a visit from the Lexington Fire Department, arts and crafts and an award show in recognition of long-time volunteers and sponsors.

“I haven’t been to this camp since 1992, but I came back to visit because I have a lot of younger friends still here,” Fader said.

“I haven’t been to camp in three years myself, but I still know everyone here — it’s good to come back to see these people,” Glynn added.

It costs MDA $525 per child to provide the campers with this unique experience. The camp is underwritten entirely by the generous support of local corporations and individuals. These and other donors will be recognized on Labor Day weekend (Sept. 1- 2) during the 2002 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon on WB20 Detroit. This year marks the 37th annual telethon.

Founded in 1950, the Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health organization dedicated to finding a cure more than 40 neuromuscular diseases. MDA funds research worldwide and currently funds projects at the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and Michigan State University. MDA operates 230 hospital-affiliated clinics across the country. Local clinics are located at Children’s Hospital in Detroit and the Michigan Institute of Neuromuscular Disorders in Farmington Hills. Services include physical, occupational and respiratory therapy, genetic counseling and testing, social services consultations and year-round patient care.

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