October 8-10, 2010: Weekend Retreat for Older Teens and Young Adults at Victory Junction

The Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, North Carolina has generously invited older teens and young adults from The Transverse Myelitis Association to attend a retreat weekend.  The retreat weekend will take place on October 8-10, 2010 for those with TM, ADEM, NMO, and ON between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five and their caregivers, parents, spouses or companions.  If you are slightly younger than 16 or older than 25, please apply and decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis. 

As our members come to camp from across the country and around the world, and as travel is very difficult for many of you, Victory Junction has graciously offered to allow people to arrive at camp early on Thursday, October 7th.  It is very important to understand that the formal camp will not begin until Friday afternoon, October 8th and that no program activities will be available until that time.  Arriving early will allow you time to recover from the travel.  It will also be a time to visit with others who come to camp early.  The TMA officers will arrive early and we will request that some of the physicians arrive early, as well. 

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 (GSO) in Greensboro, North Carolina is approximately 20 miles away and airport pick-ups are available, also free of charge.  Transportation arrangements need to be coordinated with Victory Junction. 

VJGC will begin accepting the Retreat Weekend Applications on July 1, 2010.  You will not be able to access the web-based application until July 1st.  Please do not wait until the last minute to submit your application, as we believe that there will be an excellent response from our community and spaces are limited.  This is an experience you are not going to want to miss!   The deadline for completion of all elements of the Retreat Weekend application (application, medical form, and immunization records) is September 8, 2010. 

The application process is described and the applications are available from the following link on the Victory Junction web site:

http://www.victoryjunction.org/parents/camper-application.php

There is a medical section of the application that will need to be filled out by your doctor.  Please send in your portion of the application as soon as you have it completed.  Do not wait for the physician section; that portion can be sent in later. 

Your point of contact at Victory Junction regarding the application process and the TMA Retreat Weekend is Chris Foster.  Chris can be reached at: (336)495-2019; his email address is chris.foster@victoryjunction.org.

We have invited physicians and medical specialists who are focused on the rare neuroimmunologic disorders to attend this retreat weekend.  They will be there to participate in the activities and to answer your questions.  We will provide an education workshop during camp that will focus on research and short and long-term treatment and symptom management practices.  While the emphasis is going to be on a weekend of fun and relaxation, you will have the opportunity to spend time with the physicians who have the best understanding of these complex disorders.   The response we have received from our physician community has been outstanding.  We are anticipating that the following people are going to be able to attend: Dr. Daniel Becker, Dr. Julius Birnbaum, Janet Dean, RN, Dr. Benjamin Greenberg, Dr. Adam Kaplin, Dr. Douglas Kerr, Dr. Michael Levy, Dr. Carlos Pardo, and Dr. Frank Pidcock.

We are also anticipating that Cody Unser will be attending the retreat weekend at Victory Junction.  Cody has expressed an interest in being at camp and we are hopeful that her schedule will allow her to attend.

If you are an adult with TM, ADEM, NMO or ON and are interested in being a volunteer for this retreat weekend, please fill out and submit a volunteer application as soon as possible.  Claire Rutan is Victory Junction’s Volunteer Director, and may be reached at (336) 495-2016 or crutan@victoryjunction.org, should you have questions about volunteering. 

http://www.victoryjunction.org/volunteers/apply.php

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. 

Please visit the web site to learn more about Victory Junction:  www.victoryjunction.org    

Pauline, Kazu and I look forward to seeing all of you in October!