Our First Caring & Sharing Weekend, Our new Found Friends Options

[pumpwear]

When Dawn, Katie and I invisioned what we hoped to achieve in having a Caring and Sharing Weekend we came up with just two goals,

1 Let families relax, have fun and spend time as a family give them the ability to have a stress free place to reconnect with their families.

2 Give families the opportunity to truly get to know other families and beable to form a friendship and bond.

This past weekend was so much more than we ever could have expected, We watched families and friends come together in a way that can only be expressed as a giant hug. We are so thankful to have brought all of you into our family.

We hope all of you have been as touched as we have. We look forward to trying to continue on with this weekend so that other families can also share in this amazing experience.

Julie, Dawn & Katie

[Guest_Betsy Cummins_*]

Thanks so much for doing this!!!. The weekend was great. It really meant a lot to hear from other families living with JD. I just said to my husband this am on the ride to work, I am starting to think that our family that we thought 'got' it doesn't really get what it means to have a child with JD.

Thanks again,
Betsy and Family

[Guest_Lynda_*]

To Dawn,Julie and Katie,
"Thank You for everything"
Those words just cannot convey the deep gratitude for all of our beautiful memories you have made possible for my family and I.
It was terrific to speak to parents about Jessica's diabetes (and soon to be Julianna's)and my worries about kindergarten and actually have someone who understands my concerns, anxiety and
504 plan issues : )
It was great to listen to all the other families with their incredible stories,and sigh and say
Yes I am not alone.
We again offer these common words to say "Thank You" once again your thoughtfulness it was very much appreciated.
And to the Double H staff....No words can express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the overwhelming support and kindness everybody showed to us ..THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Mike,Lynda, Jessica and Julianna Buttner


*****Something that has always puzzled me all my life is why when I am in special need of help the good deed is usually done by somebody on whom I have no claim. ~William Feather

[Guest_Misty_*]

We are still on a "high" from this past weekend! Anyone who asked me today about our weekend at the Double H heard me excitedly tell about our experiences. Thank you Dawn, Katie and Julie, for making the weekend possible! We feel so fortunate to have been selected to participate! Our 4 year old, Benjamin, was so excited to meet other children who have diabetes! He met a new friend, Amanda, who he can't seem to stop talking about. He was so excited to see another family with the same diabetes kit that he has. He now knows that he's not the only child afflicted with diabetes.

For us as parents it was wonderful to speak with other parents who truly understand. At Saturday morning's sharing session, Joe helped us laugh and cry about the challenges facing us. It also felt so good to know that everyone around us knew how to take care of Benjamin's diabetes needs, if necessary.

The Double H staff were absolutely incredible! With their encouragement and support, Benjamin was able to complete the high ropes course without a bit of fear. We still can't believe it!

We could go on and on...and we will, in a letter to the staff of Pump Wear! Thank you very much!
Misty, Christoph and Benjamin

[Guest_Dawn_*]

It was so heartwarming to see parents arrive on Friday night not knowing what to anticipate. I did notice that some parents had stress written all over their face. It was so nice to see that after a game of getting to know each other and a bonfire with smores the stress that I noticed the night before had slipped away and smiles, laughing and "fun time" with their kids had become a number one priority.

I couldn't help but to wonder if this was the first vacation that money was not a concern since everything at the Double H ranch was free.

I was so truly touched how quickly families bonded with other families and the weekend was truly a family connect time. The staff at the Double H did a fantastic job and I know they had as much fun as the families.

I can't wait until next year and I promised Joe I would bring him his own barrettes.

[Guest_Sandy Schmittinger_*]

Hi to Julie and Dawn and to all the families, our family truly has been missing you all since Sunday. Our family also has been on a "high" since this weekend. The weekend is all we have talked about and this has been nonstop! I havn't had the words to respond because my heart is so full of joy. It was so amazing, I feel like I have known all of you forever. Julie and Dawn you should be so proud of yourselves for doing this because it has changed my family forever (for the good) we bonded with each other and with strangers, just incredible! and I know the other families feel the same way. My children loved it so much they keep saying, " can we go back and with the same people" I just can't express the joy and hope in my heart. The staff and the volunteers were the kindest, caring people I have ever met. They along with the rest of you all have just inspried me so much, it was such a privelage to meet all of you and I and I know my children will never forget any of you. It was just magical! I hope that we can all keep in touch with each other, it's such a great support system. Please email us!
Love, the Schmittingers, Sandy, Jim, Jimmy, Danny and NIkki

[Guest_Sherri_*]

Thank you so much for a wonderful weekend with so many memories to cherish forever! Noah, my 10 year old son, said he was so happy not to be teased all weekend. "Mom, no one called me diabetes boy". Thank you to all the parents for being vulnerable and open about our fears and concerns. It was great to form friendships and learn from each other. The Double H staff was awesome.

Julie, Dawn, and Katie your goals were definitely met and exceded. We had a stress free weekend and much needed family time(minus the 10 hour drive home with three boys!) Thanks Joe for the geoghraphy game. Do you realize how many places end in A or N?

Thank you again for everything!
Love, The Barr's Palmer, Sherri, Noah, Evan, and Andrew

[Guest_Brendan, Jen, Bridget, J, R, L &_*]

This past weekend was one of the most incredible experiences we've had as a family since Bridget's diagnosis. Thank you so much for touching our lives in so many ways. As we were driving home I truly looked at our family as being "lucky." We are all SO blessed to have these children in our lives. They are inspirational, compassionate, and thankful. I wish we could go to the Hole in the Woods every 6 months to get us happy about life again, and to perk up children with diabetes. I really enjoyed hearing everyone's stories. It felt good to share! This was truly a magical weekend for our family. Thank you to everyone involved!!

[Guest_Guest_nojo1201_*_*]

Hi Everybody

Just finally got around to coming to this page. Well I just want to confirm what everyone else is saying we had an AWESOME!!! time. Amanda actually cried on sunday morning when we told her that we had to go home.

It felt like a safe haven where everyone knows EXACTLY what you are going through. Wow what a wonderful feeling. Dealing with diabetes on a daily basis is VERY hard. Sometimes we are just not in tune with it because we just keep going without thinking.

The one thing that I got from this weekend is that it is okay to say "I Hate Diabetes" Thanks Joe!! It was freeing to hear him say it and you know I really do hate this disease.

Thank you Julie and Dawn and all the others who helped make this weekend a free reality. It was great. We will definitely nominate a family for next year. We actually have someone in mind already.

Thank you again and I look forward to trying to keep in touch with everyone.

Joe, Noelle and Amanda.

oh one more thing Amanda also did the ropes course and I cannot believe she climbed up that tree and flew through the air. I thought that if she could do that she can fight her diabetes on a daily basis.

Mike and Lynda
I would love to give your info to my friend Jodi. She has twin 8 year old girls who both have type 1 and she is looking for someone else that has twins, so please let me know if I can give her your info, please email to nojo1201@hvc.rr.com.

Misty, Christoph and Benjamin

It was a JOY to see our kids bond!!! Thanks so much

[Guest_Allison Mayo_*]

Thank you so much Dawn, Katie and Julie! The weekend was WONDERFUL! I can not imagine the effort (over the last two years) that went into planning the whole weekend but your vision was realized and from a participant's view; it was a complete success! There were too many great things about the weekend to mention even half, but a few of our favorites were: The high ropes course, the horses, the fleece blankets on the beds (that from my little one!) and the talent show! Talking with Joe really helped too (Google; Joe RN Animas and watch what comes up!) Whoever put together the camp staff and nursing team should be commended too! Thanks again! -Allison, Andy, Gregory, Patrick and Brendan