My story: continuing to enjoy life with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
Follow Jackson, a nine-year-old with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, through a day at Camp Dream Street, a summer camp for kids with physical disabilities.
Transcript
JACKSON: My name is Jackson. Doo, doo. I'm nine.
Let's toss it right in there. Usually, I don't get to sleep away from home. We're in the exact same cabin with the kids that
have physical disabilities. It's fun, and I love it so much.
DORIS HECKERT: When he was born, we were told that he wasn't going to live, that he wasn't going to get out of the crib if he did live. And so to see him come to a place
like this, to see him come to camp, to see him be able to do something that is typical of typical kids just completely blows me away.
SETH KAPLAN: Camp Dream Street is the happiest place on Earth. The camp is primarily made up with campers with physical disabilities like cerebral palsy, spina bifida.
The mantra, so to speak, is, kids can just be kids. [LAUGHS] My first year, I was a little worried.
My mom felt worried. She was staying at home, and she was right next to the phone.
This year, I'm totally happy dropping him off, and I'll probably cry once we get back in the truck.
Guys, guys! I'm telling you, there's a lot of fish out here. Ah! ANDREW ROGERS: Jackson and I have both
really enjoyed fishing. Here, fishy. Come on. And it was really impressive, the skill that he had
and how he was able to maneuver the pole in ways that he wanted to. I'm an expert fisherman. Got one!
I caught five fish. [SCREAMS] That's the biggest one yet. Set it back in the water.
At Camp Dream Street, they're in excellent hands. The counselors, all of the staff, everyone here is amazing.
Let's go! JONATHAN HECKERT: There's therapists. There's doctors. Boom. Whoa!
That was so cool. JONATHAN HECKERT: This is something that is absolutely amazing. Say, bye. Bon voyage.
Bon voyage! DORIS HECKERT: You give him the opportunity to just be a kid for five days.
I don't have to worry about him. I know he's OK. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Let's do it again. Are you ready? ALL: Dream Street! [MUSIC PLAYING]
joint health
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