Camp for kids with burn injuries starts Sunday
By: Romni DiJohn
Updated: June 12, 2012
Camp is an essential part of summer for many kids. For local burn survivors, it's no different thanks to a one-week burn survivor camp in Scottsville, Texas.
Local burn survivors ages 4 to 16 gathered at Scottsville Camp Sunday for what they like to call "a normal week of fun, free of the outside world."
"Because people outside like to judge us because of our scars. But here we can't be judged because everybody's the same," said Cheoveon Beechum, a burn survivor.
Dr. Kevin Sittig, Director of Burn Unit at LSU Health Shreveport says the camp is meant for closure.
"The benefit is the people here counseling them are the occupational therapists that took care of them as they were being treated," said Sittig.
Camp I'm Still Me is free to all the burn survivors who attend, thanks to a man named Charles "Boo" Chaler and his benefit. Boo is a burn survivor himself. In 1998, he suffered a welding accident, burning nearly 95% of his body.
"We actually put on a motorcycle rally in Jefferson, Texas that helps raise money for the camp and Shriners hospital. Last year we raised $250,000, which made this camp possible," said Chaler.
The outcome of the injuries leave more than just scars. Chaler suffers from injuries so severe that he sweats profusely at all times, as a result of losing his sweat glands.
Counselors say you can see the change in each camper as they leave camp each year.
"When they just get here they're shy, they're completely covered up, long sleeve shirts, long pants. Even though it's hot and we're sweating. Then they see other kids that are the same, yet aren't bashful at all and they're swimming and having fun," said Sittig.
The camp lasts until next Saturday, and was started by the Percy R. Johnson Burn Foundation.
