SamBeller.org

Monday, November 21, 2005

Camp Summit Weekend Fun

Camp Summit has weekend Camps in the Fall and Spring.  Sam was able to attend part of the camp held on Nov 18-20th.  The cold front prohibited Sam from spending the nights.  However, Sam had a fabulous afternoon with a hayride, arts and crafts, games, and another wild and crazy dance!

Thank you, Camp Summit, for making Sam smile!

Friday, September 09, 2005

Sam Starts Junior High School

We can’t believe that Sam is in Jr. High!!!  Although, some days, his teenage attitude shows… or is that just missing Camp Summit??

Sam is adjusting well.  He has a crush on his Home Economics teacher.  He enjoys his new classmates and has found a great friend in his buddy, Markell, who seems to always look out for him.

We are excited about new opportunities for Sam.

Monday, August 01, 2005

Camp Summit ROCKS!!

Sam enjoyed his very first camp experience without Mom & Dad!  This past July, Sam attended a week-long camp for physically challenged youth at Camp Summit just North of the Dallas area.  Check it out at http://www.campsummittx.org.

He shared a cabin with six other boys and 4 counselors.  He rode horses, made arts and crafts, had a blue mohawk and crazy shirt at their dance, went on a hayride, went swimming and even rode on a zip-line!  It’s amazing what one boy can do when he just has a little help from friends.

His four nurses took turns working 12 hour shifts 24/7 so Sam could be at camp and still receive his needed nursing care.  So, Mom was not there to nose around.  However, the nurses kept giving us updates on all the crazy fun Sam was having.

This is the beginning of a long relationship with Camp Summit.  We were so impressed with the staff and all the fabulous activities.  But, mostly, we were impressed with how much fun Sam had.  I think some of Sam’s favorite time was just hanging out in the “tidy-challenged” boys cabin listening to loud Rock-n-Roll and playing cards.  It was such a GUY experience for him.  He truly came back on a “camp high.” He is all smiles whenever we talk about Camp Summit.

THANK YOU CAMP SUMMIT!!! .... love, Sam & family

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Bellers Enjoyed Joni & Friends Family Retreat Camp

In June, our family was able to attend a 5-day family retreat camp for families that have children or other family members with disabilities.  It was a time of spiritual renewal and fun for our entire family.  The kids were completely spoiled and the volunteers or STMs (Short Term Missionaries) did a great job of looking out for Sam and making sure his needs were met.  Ursula, Sam’s home nurse was able to attend with us and made everything easier as she always does.  The camp was a very caring and nurturing environment packed with good support group time for David and Kelly and tons of fun activities for the kids and entire family.  We have great memories. 

The Joni and Friends Family Retreat Camp is something we’ve wanted to do for years.  After Sam’s newspaper article in 2004, David’s friends at work, collected $$ to pay our entire way.  We will treasure this retreat – what an amazing gift.  Check out information on the ministries of Joni Eareckson Tada at http://www.joniandfriends.org.

THANK YOU FRIENDS AT HKS!!!

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Sam Well & Finished School Year

Sam was able to attend the last week of 6th grade and go to his “Elementary School Graduation” with his classmates.  We are delighted that he is well and thank everyone for their prayers.

Monday, April 25, 2005

Sam Improving ...

Sam is still being a mystery with this bug he got last week - good days and bad days.  However, he’s definitely turned the corner ... we are feelign out of danger and no need to admit him to the hospital.  Last week, he was worrying us.  Last night, he slept through the night for the first time in a week.  Steam showers seem to really help him breathe better and help his heartrate to stay nice and low - gets rid of stress.  It also seems to cool his skin down.  He’s had hot rashes on an off all over his body.  This comes and goes all day.  The shower helps that a lot.  No fever, no stomach symptoms and he’s breathing much easier.  However, he’s still being unpredicable - on and off Oxygen, up and down heartrate. 

For the rest of the week ... I think he’s out of school all week.  We still haven’t been able to get him off the ventilator because he breathes too hard when off of it.  So, we’ll wean him off of that slowly and then hopefully, school next week.

So, pray for him to be comfortable, no rashes, sleep well and get off the ventilator during the day.

Thanks for the prayers,
Bellers zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz