SDES Journal

Camp Seale Harris is the luckiest diabetes camp in the whole world.  Why, you ask?  Not only do we have amazing programs, awesome counselors and a medical staff that is second to none, we have the best doctor that any person with diabetes could ask for.  Dr. Taylor Caffey has been selflessly giving his time to help children and their families with diabetes at Camp Seale Harris for close to 50 years.

For as long as my camp memories extend, one of the most solid fixtures of Camp Seale Harris is Dr. Caffey.  Every year he closes his practice in Ozark to come to camp and serve as our medical director of senior week, providing guidance to our medical staff, ensuring that we are fully stocked with all of the supplies that are needed and providing a safe and nurturing environment for our campers and staff.  Some may claim their memories of Dr. Caffey as being the man in the dining hall who paces around the tables, seeing that campers are eating correct portions and most importantly eating those vegetables.  Others may recall their memories of Dr. Caffey doing his typical night rounds routine of asking ridiculous questions.  No matter the memory, Dr. Caffey has always given his time and efforts to ensure that the campers at Camp Seale Harris are safe and healthy.

Not too many people can recall back to the days of 12 campers and sick children with diabetes.  Dr. Caffey constantly reminds our staff of our purpose by sharing the hope that he has seen through the breakthroughs with diabetes care.  Many campers can most definitely attribute their good health and well-being to the treatment and education that they received from Camp Seale Harris and Dr. Caffey.  Year after year, Dr. Caffey returns to camp and helps us all continue to provide for the children of Camp Seale Harris, as if it were second nature.  He has taught me to be a giver to a program that has provided so much to me and my family. 

On May 2, Dr. Caffey received the Aubrey Green Humanitarian Award, given by the Alabama Lions Clubs.  I see this award as just a little bit of thanks from each child that has come through the gates of Camp Seale Harris.  Children can attribute their lives to Dr. Caffey and all he has given and taught us.  I know that Camp Seale Harris is grateful for the service that Dr. Caffey provides, and is no doubt a better place because he has been there.

Believe it or not, there are only 26 days until camp!!!  It is by far my favorite time of the year.  Getting to see old friends, meet new ones and hang out with others who have diabetes… it just doesn’t get any better!

Make sure that you have registered for your spot at Camp Seale Harris 2009!!  You can register online at www.southeasterndiabetes.org or contact the office at (205) 402-0415.  It is going to be an amazing summer that you won’t want to miss!  Come make memories, friends and have fun at Camp Seale Harris 2009!!

This summer, Camp Seale Harris is excited to offer 2 adventure camps!!  The first adventure program is the “Alabama Adventure Camp” and will take place at Camp ASCCA during Senior week!  This week consists of on-site camping, adventure activities such as repelling and the zip line, a canoe trip and so much more!  There is even one day that includes a day trip to Chewlacla State Park in Auburn for hiking.

The second adventure program offered is a “Western Adventure Camp,” that will take place June 7-13.  This program takes place out west, in the Wyoming/Montana area.  Some activities include whitewater rafting, horseback riding, hiking and even some geyser watching! 

If you enjoy an adventure, then make sure you contact the SDES office at 205-402-0415 to sign up for ADVENTURE CAMP 2009!!

NO….. It’s the Camp Seale Harris SUPERHEROES!!  The BANQUET theme for CSH 2009 will be SUPERHEROES!!  So pull out your tights and capes and show your superhero spirit!!

What do you get when you have 14 families, 9 counselors and fun programs? CAMP SEALE HARRIS SPRING FAMILY WEEKEND!! This past weekend, Camp Seale Harris hosted 14 families in fun and education. Campers were able to do some amazing activities and meet others their age, while their families attended education sessions to teach them more about diabetes! Here are just a few pictures from the weekend!!

The new diabetes support group in Huntsville, Hot Shots, celebrated that fall with a carnival at the Huntsville Hospital Medical Mall!  Southeastern Diabetes Education Services and Huntsville Hospital Foundation provided a carnival with fun for all.  There were games, contests, prizes and even some monster eyeballs to snack on!  It was a great time to meet and mingle with some friends who also have diabetes. 

Hot Shots will be hosting programs every three months or so.  Make sure that you check the SDES website for information regarding these events.  There is also a mentor program that will be starting soon, so check the website for details!  There are so many children and families in the Huntsville and North Alabama area who are affected by diabetes and it is so exciting to have this group to provide support and education!  We hope to see you at an event soon!

In the next few weeks, our SDES blog will be featuring stories from a few different people!  I have contacted many of you to contribute to our blog, sharing stories of your life with diabetes or how our programs have impacted you.  Starting next week, I will being publishing these responses… so I hope you enjoy them!!  I hope that you can really appreciate the stories that people have shared and can relate to their stories of life with diabetes.  If you have a story to share, feel free to send me a post at sara@southeasterndiabetes.org!

Through all the struggles we face with our diabetes, we sometimes feel like we are the only ones going through it!  Well…. you are NOT alone!  Did you know that there are close to 3 million Americans with Type 1 diabetes?  So we really are not alone, there are so many people living with diabetes.  Here is a list of some famous  type 1 and type 2 diabetics that you may know:

Halle Berry- actress

Jonathan Hayes- NFL player

Delta Burke- actress

Kendall Simmons- NFL player

Bill Gullickson-MLB player

Johnny Cash- Singer

Ella Fitzgerald- Singer

Randy Jackson- Singer/Producer/American Idol judge

Bret Michaels-Singer

Nick Jonas- Singer (The Jonas Brothers)

These are just a few celebrities that I came across who live with diabetes.  While they may be famous, they have diabetes just like you and me!  We all need a support system and I hope that Camp Seale Harris and the other SDES programs provide a network for you.  Connect with your friends from camp and remember that YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!

Get excited!!  CIT applications are now available on our website!  If you will be 16 or 17 next year and are interested in possibly becoming a counselor in training, then send us an application.  The Counselor in Training (CIT) program at Camp Seale Harris is designed for youth who are interested in becoming counselors for our resident camp program.  You will learn the procedures and tricks of the trade to be a counselor and also make some of the best friends that you can imagine!

Many of us have our “favorite” counselors.  The CIT program teaches you to take traits from many of our favorites and throw in your own personality to make an all-star mix!  Being a CIT is truly an honor and a privilege.  So download your application today and get it back to the office!  Feel free to contact Sara (sara@southeasterndiabetes.org) with any questions!!  We look forward to hearing from you soon!