2016 Paddy Rossbach

Youth Camp Yearbook

2 2016 Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp Yearbook

Our MissionTo reach out to and empower people affected

by limb loss to achieve their full potential

through education, support and advocacy, and

to promote limb loss prevention.

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Camp.The word evokes warm summer days, laughing with friends late into the night, and

stretching your comfort zone.

This year, more than 130 kids came to Ohio to do all these things and much more. For more

than a decade the Amputee Coalition has offered a traditional experience to kids from 10 to

17 years old who have a limb difference or limb loss.

In (2016) we also added a Leadership Camp for 18 and 19 year olds. This camp opportunity

provides valuable skills that will serve our Leadership Campers well in future schooling,

community, and career. (And maybe even as camp counselors!)

Our campers are part of what makes the experience special. They come from all over the

United States, each with their own story. They reach out to each other to offer support

and insight – and to plan an ice cream raid on the next cabin. They try things they never

imagined they would, and they play gaga incessantly.

Our counselors are special, too. Most of them have limb loss / limb difference or a close

connection with the community, and all of them are willing to give up some sleep to make

someone’s camp experience.

Most importantly, the Amputee Coalition works to create a safe, nurturing environment that

allows campers to be themselves, in simple and profound ways.

Camp is paid for by generous donors and sponsors. Their gifts cover the cost of camp itself

as well as travel to camp. If you’d like to join this amazing group of supporters, check for

details at amputee-coalition.org or call 865.524.8772 for more information.

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Everyone at Camp is Family

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I really enjoyed my first year at camp. When I was

standing at the airport in Salt Lake City waiting to

board the plane, one of the other camp counselors

came up and asked me if I was going to Amp Camp.

After that, we found three other people that were on

the flight with us. When we met up with the rest of

the group in Cincinnati, it was nice to see everyone

mingle, and get to know each other - old and new

counselors.

The first day at camp, as just counselors, was

amazing for me. I usually am not fearful of heights,

and new activities, but for some reason, the ropes

course got to me. It was the first step down off of the

platform that took the most courage, and having

the rest of the counselors there supporting me was a

great experience - much different than everyday life

where people are seeing people with amputations as

“disabled.”

The day that my group did the ropes course, I was

able to go up and help out on the crow’s nest just

before the zip line. Being able to support the kids

as they crossed the final element before the zip line

was so much fun, and seeing their reactions when

they made it to me, and stood on the small platform

at the top was a feeling of satisfaction for both the

camper and me.

Overall, I had a great experience! I normally don’t

get too emotional, but on the last day when the kids

and the other counselors were leaving, and I was the

only one scheduled on my flight back to SLC late on

Wednesday, I got a little emotional. Going to Amp

Camp this year was a great experience, and I look

forward to next year. Everyone at camp is a family,

and the counselors all work together to make the

week great for the campers we serve.

~ Ryan Bahr

Ryan wrote a letter about his first year

as a camp counselor at the Paddy

Rossbach Youth Camp. He shared

details and highpoints, as well as his

desire to return again.

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Splashing, not posting.

All 134 campers left their electronics at the door and

spent their time getting to know each other, exploring

the camp grounds, and participating in organized (and

spontaneous) activities. Days were filled with things

like the ropes course, a dip in the pool or a paddle in

the lake, and facilitated conversations about topics

that range from how it feels to be the only kid “like

me” in school, to how to handle awkward personal

questions, to when to tell people about your limb

difference.

Evenings at camp are full of activities, too. One

night features a carnival full of games. Another night

includes a bonfire, and the last night features dancing,

with campers showing off their moves and their

musical skills.

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“Camp’s amazing because it really equals the playing field for everybody. Everybody’s on the same page. Everybody understand what everybody else is going through.”

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For the past 11 years, Laura Mullen has

returned to the Amputee Coalition Paddy

Rossbach Youth Camp. She spends a week with

people who have a limb difference or limb loss,

and in 2016 she attended as a counselor. It

gave her the chance to impact and inspire the

campers.

“I show the kids that it is OK to be themselves. They can do anything they set their minds to doing.” ~ Laura Mullen

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Her counselors were important to her as a camper,

and she wanted to pass along that same experience.

“It is so neat to be around other amputees. When

I was camper I always looked up to the counselors

as my role models. I learned so much about who I

wanted to be, simply because my counselors cared

about who I was. This left a huge impact on my life

and I wanted to take on that role when I was old

enough. I participated in the Leader-In-Training

program at 17-years-old and at 18, I was able to

attend as a counselor.”

“They had a positive attitude and showed me that

it was OK to not hide my leg when I was at home,”

Mullen said. “Everyone notices that you are different

at home and it’s hard to go back to reality.”

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Summer Fun

“I think it gives kids more courage to stand out and not just be in the background and be that kid, like oh there’s that kid who’s different than us. I feel like they is going to be to a point where they’ll feel accepted.”

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“I know way more about myself than I did before. I mean, I didn’t know half the things I knew about myself, about my limb loss, about anything about myself than I do now.”

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Sharing stories and sunshine

“Every year that I came as a camper, it expanded my knowledge, and me just being comfortable with myself, and wanting to wear shorts, and wanting to run. I never wanted to run, because I didn’t want to look different. I always wanted to fit in. And I just learned that being different is okay.”

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“I’ve learned to be independent, that’s for sure. Doing a bunch of things by myself without my parents and being open to new things.”

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Different. Life-changing different.

“It just seems like every year when she goes to one of these camps, she comes back a different person. She’s happier. She’s more confident in things that she does. She’s willing to try new things and know that she can accomplish them… She learned at camp. She comes back a different person. When I mean different person, I mean better. More alive.”

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“The benefits for my child were deep. I expected it to be fun, but I did NOT expect her to find out she is a leader, that she can help others and that she is not alone. In addition, she could really be herself for the first time since her illness and amputation- she was not able to ‘hide’ behind her prosthetic and the real kid came out! It was life- changing actually!”

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Where is everyone from?

Our pictures (in numbers)

1(D.C.)

3

1

3

3

9 22

2

3

4 53

1

24

22

3

2 3

8

Alabama ....................3

Arizona ......................3

California ..................9

Colorado ...................2

Connecticut ..............3

D.C. ...........................1

Delaware ....................1

Florida .......................2

Georgia ......................3

Illinois .......................4

Indiana ......................5

Kansas........................3

Louisiana ...................1

Massachusetts ............2

Michigan ...................4

Missouri .....................2

Minnesota .................2

Montana ....................2

North Carolina ..........3

Nebraska ....................2

New Jersey .................3

New York ...................8

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“I feel more free at camp because there’s more people like me with a limb deficiency and understand the struggles. You have to find a way to do it quicker, and when you’re at home, everybody expects you to do it like everybody else.”

Coming back for more

First Time Campers 63Returning Campers 69

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Notes

Amputee-coalition.org 888.267.5669

9303 Center Street, Suite 100 Manassas, VA 20110

900 East Hill Avenue, Suite 390 Knoxville, TN 37915