Monday, September 26, 2022
For children with bleeding disorders (hemophilia), even a minor injury can be life-threatening. Too often, they miss out on activities that other kids take for granted, like sports and summer camps. This is why Camp Wanakita is so wonderful!
Camp Wanakita, based out of a YMCA site in Haliburton, is the only summer camp in Ontario catered to children with bleeding disorders. One of our HSN nurses, Betty-Anne Paradis, has had the pleasure of working and playing alongside these kids for all 30 years that the camp has been in operation.
Camp Wanakita is run by nurses as well as camp councillors who attended the camp in their younger years. The nurses ensure that the children receive infusions, which helps their blood clot and prevents injury. They even teach the older children how to self-infuse, helping them become more independent.
“Kids are sometimes anxious at first – it’s their first time away from home and their parents’ first time getting a week where they aren’t worried about their child,” says Betty-Anne.
That anxiety, quickly turns into excitement, though, as the kids get to participate in a regular overnight camp experience with kayaking, mountain biking, archery, and swimming.
“I love to see how joyful they are to be able to participate in outdoor activities. A lot of the children come from larger cities, like Toronto, and it’s their first time doing activities out in nature,” says Betty-Anne.
Thank you to all the nurses who give their time to go out and share in this positive experience with the children year after year.