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A Camp for Kids With Crohn’s and Colitis

By U.S. News & World Report

As I reflect back on an amazing week at Camp Oasis — a camp for kids with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis — I find the four years I have been able to attend this camp have had a lasting impact on me.

Established by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, the camp has shown me that there are other people, especially teens, suffering with the same problems I face. Having the opportunity to relate to them allowed me to gain a whole new perspective on my disease.

Diagnosed at age 6 with colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, my mom sheltered me from society, fearing that people wouldn’t be able to understand the disease. Like many other diseases, colitis is complex, and it causes embarrassing issues, including frequently needing to use the restroom. So it’s difficult to talk about, especially with kids and teens. But as I soon learned there were other kids facing the same challenges, I felt more comfortable communicating with people about this disease.

When I first heard about Camp Oasis, I couldn’t imagine going to a camp for a week, away from my family, with all my medical struggles. But as I approached sixth grade, I felt it was time to break out.

My family and I began to attend education conferences, where I was fortunate to make an amazing friend. He encouraged me to attend Camp Oasis, convincing me that I would have a great time. Unfortunately, the first year I attended with him was the last year I would be going with him, as he passed away from osteosarcoma, a bone cancer.

The first year of camp, I went as an underweight middle schooler who looked extremely young. My cheeks were puffed up by steroids I was prescribed to lessen the extreme inflammation I had at the time, and I used the restroom incessantly and had resulting accidents. I was on so many medications, yet I still attended. I went for the support I subconsciously knew I needed.

Although there were certainly other kids who were sick, the flare-up of my disease made me want to rest frequently in the camp medical center. Meanwhile, the staff made every attempt to rid me of thoughts relating to my sickness, and did so successfully. I was still able to participate in almost every activity and make amazing friendships. Despite how sick I was, that first year of camp allowed me to learn and grow beyond my disease.

Though I wasn’t able to go every year due to numerous health issues and surgeries, I looked forward to intermittently attending Camp Oasis. It was the best week of my year.

It felt amazing to be understood, and I realized I didn’t have to fight colitis alone. The feeling that you get when you are able to relate to others in your position just consumes every part of you and truly makes dealing with the disease a whole lot easier.

Through Camp Oasis, I have gained much more than lifelong support from amazing people.

Previously, I was able to do simple tasks after returning from major flare-ups, when the disease became really active and inflammation levels were extremely high. But I still was not as independent as I wanted to be. This camp proved to me that I could take care of myself. It gave me a sense of confidence that I could live on my own and be independent with this disease.

It was the positivity and the “forget about your disease” for a week kind of attitude that really made camp an unforgettable experience. There’s nothing cooler than looking up to your counselors, who have the same disease as you, and seeing how much they have achieved, despite having a medical condition that undeniably tested their strength.

This year was my final year as a camper, so I became a leader in training. In this role, I was able to help younger campers dealing with Crohn’s and colitis. Being able to see younger kids endure such devastating diseases is inspiring, and helped me put aside any negativity. Even though I can’t remember life without ulcerative colitis, there is something about the innocence of younger kids dealing with inflammatory bowel disease that can put your struggles into perspective.

Attending Camp Oasis has been a life-changing experience for me. I felt supported through some of the toughest times, and I know it’s had a positive impact on so many kids’ lives, including mine. It took away the feeling of loneliness I experienced while I was sick and gave me something to look forward to each year.

Such camps are important for all children with chronic illnesses to attend. I encourage any kid or teen with a chronic illness to explore going into a camp that could provide them with feelings of belonging, camaraderie and joy.

Sometimes it’s difficult to realize that you need support, but there is no doubt that knowing you aren’t the only one facing challenges associated with having a chronic condition makes any situation better.

More from U.S. News

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A Camp for Kids With Crohn’s and Colitis originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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