Saturday, August 16, 2008, 10:22 a.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Johnathon here.  Just woke up not even fifteen minutes ago; am tired from this week.  Went to MDA camp from Monday until yesterday evening; was sorry to see it end.  Had a great time, one of the best times in years, since I started going.

Saw a lot of my buddies, including Kyle Lattimer, Henry O'Toole, Wes Vernon, Tabbitha Edwards, and Peter Bastion; surprisingly, they're still around.  Figured by now that Kyle, who has spinal muscular atrophy and is respirator dependent, would be gone; he's still kickin', much to my surprise.  He looks good for all that he's had to put up with lately with his health.

My buddies were sorry to hear that I am no longer able to walk and now have a trache in order to breathe; but they are glad that I am around still.  I'm glad I'm around; I don't want to miss a thing if I can help it! LOL

Considering that I was supposed to have been dead nearly 11 years ago, I think I'm doing great!!!! :)

During the five days at Camp Smiles, we did a lot of that--and more.  We went swimming, played games/adaptive sports, sang silly camp songs, told ghost stories, participated in crafts/art projects,  had a "confidence test" to test your buddies (that was a little intimidating being up in the air while your buddies held you, passed you from person to person; I was so scared that they were going to drop me!), and caught up on news.  We also watched some of the Olympic action in the evening, to wind down, and had a talent show.

I won the talent show.  I got $100 bucks and some neat coupons/passes to local restaurants, movie theatres, and the like.  I was so proud of myself! :)

Now I am tired, tired, but happy.  I am also incredibly sunburnt.  I look (and feel) just like a lobster that's been boiled alive.  *OW*  LOL I am so red it is not funny!  Let's face it, folks:  I am practically glowing!!  And my poor, skinny legs:  you can very easily tell where I was wearing my braces!! LOL The marks show up realllly well!! LOL  It really looks retarded!! LOLOLOL

Tomorrow I'll go to church; I know my friends there will want to hear about my camp experiences.  Well, I have a whole lot of camp stories to tell, so they'll be amused!

I am going to get something to eat; I am starving!!  I will write in here again soon; until then, take care, and may God bless you! 

~Love, your (sunburnt and tired) friend, Johnathon. :D