HYC hosts Arthritis Society
A big thank you to
Hudson Yacht Club for allowing the Quebec Division of the Arthritis
Society to host on Sunday, September 22nd a 10th
anniversary celebration of its Camp for kids with Childhood Arthritis. The Camp,
located in Rawdon, annually welcomes approximately 45 kids, aged 8 to 16 years,
with rheumatological diseases for one week in the summer. Games, health care and
other aspects of the Camp are tailored to their specific needs. A team of health
professionals, working in the field of rheumatology also remains on site. The
Camp allows the kids to participate in the same activities as those experienced
by unaffected children at a pace that suits them. Moreover, this environment
offers them the opportunity to express their pain and their limitations without
being judged. Many volunteers help to make the Camp possible, including medical
specialists. Dr. Sarah Campillo, Rheumatologist (and also President of
the Arthritis Society – Quebec Division), and Gillian Taylor, a rheumatological
nurse specialist, both from the Montreal Children’s Hospital who co-founded the
Camp.
More than 25 club
members responded enthusiastically to our request to help get our campers, their
siblings – and parents – as well as our invaluable volunteers out on the lake on
sail boats so that they could experience the thrill of sailing, a sport that
many can manage – as they witnessed firsthand in 10 to 15 knot winds! Former
Hudson Yacht Club Commodore Gary Nash and his wife Teresa of, ABC Completions,
sponsored the BBQ with the support of our local IGA Poirier &
Fils. Commodore Marian Kuiper started the speeches off with a few
words about our beloved HYC. Former Alouettes player, CFL Commissioner, Hudson
resident and HYC member Senator Larry Smith engaged the kids in a
discussion about what they want to see at their camp next year – not
surprisingly “boating”!
A special thank-you must
go out to HYC volunteers who made it all happen:
Alex Bergeron
Frank Clarke
Dave Cobbett
Brian Corrigan
Nancy Donnelly
Barb Dunnigan
Lee Grant
Allan Gray
Jonathan Humel
Michel Jutras
Bob and Sarah Kennell
Marian Kuiper
Mike and Derek
Lagimodiere
Alan and Susan Lombard
Jessica Lombard
Peter Miller
Logan Murphy
Gary, Teresa and Daniel
Nash
Amelia Robinson
Ross Tellier
Skip, Anne and Kyle
Tetro
And, for lending their
boats:
James Campbell (and the
Martens)
Larry Gray
Taylor Grant
Simon Robinson
And special thanks to
the professional support of Derek Patino, HYC Manager and Jim
McKenna!
In Canada, arthritis
currently affects 1 in 6 people, making it one of the most common chronic
diseases. Lesser known is that 1,500 children in Quebec suffer from childhood
arthritis. Children with severe arthritis must at a very young age to overcome
challenges including living with pain, fatigue, separation from family and
friends during hospital stays, limitations of the disease in terms of physical
activity and recreation pursuits, often leading to depression and isolation. In
addition, they must follow a strict exercise regime and take their medications
without fail.
The kids, as you will
see in the attached photos, loved the experience. We may have converted a few to
the sport of sailing too! Thank you on their behalf!
Elizabeth Kennel
