Young Adult’s Weekend Retreat: November 17-19, 2006

The Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, North Carolina has invited young adults from The Transverse Myelitis Association to attend a Young Adult Retreat Weekend.  The first ever biennial retreat weekend for young adults will take place on November 17-19, 2006.  The retreat is for those with TM, ADEM, NMO, and ON between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five and their caregivers, spouses or companions.  All of the facilities and venues at the camp are completely accessible; horseback riding, fishing, and even a rock climbing wall. 

We have invited Dr. Douglas Kerr, Dr. Adam Kaplin and Chitra Krishnan from our Medical Advisory Board and the John’s Hopkins Transverse Myelitis Center and Project RESTORE to attend the retreat.  They will be there to participate in the activities, answer your questions, and present an information session about research in restorative therapies and short and long-term treatments and symptom management practices. 

We know that young adults face special challenges in their lives; going to high school and college, dating, getting married and starting families, seeking employment and initiating careers.  The retreat weekend will include a seminar on transitioning into adulthood and independence with a special guest speaker.  Issues such as finding insurance and accessible housing, as well as social and relationship situations and concerns will be addressed in separate, age-appropriate sessions.  The weekend will include programming and activities specifically for the sixteen to nineteen year olds and for those twenty and above.  The emphasis will be for a weekend of fun and relaxation.

The weekend will provide a chance for you to meet with others who understand your experiences better than anyone.  Having the opportunity to share your experiences with each other will be enriching and empowering.  We know that you will come away from this retreat with lifelong friendships. 

There is no cost to attend this weekend of fun and friendships; however, you will need to provide your own transportation.  The Piedmont Triad Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina is approximately 20 miles away and airport pick-ups are available, also free of charge.

We know that there are many of you from this age group who live outside of the United States and know that you would greatly benefit from being able to spend a weekend together.  I urge you to find a way to get to the retreat, even though it will only take place over a long weekend in November.  Please be creative in how you think about this possibility.  Consider combining the trip with some additional travel in the United States.  I would also urge you to contact other members who will be attending and you might consider making arrangements to extend your time together in the States.  We will set up a bulletin board system on our web site to facilitate your communications with each other. 

If you are interested in attending, please let us know of your intentions.  Spaces are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The application deadline is October 5th.  To reserve your place and request a Victory Junction Gang Camp application, or if you have any questions, please contact Stephen Miller at smiller[AT SIGN]myelitis[DOT]org or . 

We will set up a Retreat Weekend page on the TMA web site, so please visit regularly to receive news and updates.  We will be posting more information as the details are confirmed.