Pride Month: Rachel Kaminski on how Youth Rally volunteering is transforming kids’ self-esteem

Rachel’s story

When first afforded the opportunity to be a camp nurse at Youth Rally I had no expectations initially. I had heard tales from colleagues about what a great camp it was, but to be prepared to get very little sleep and work very hard. I could never have imagined what a gift I would receive that first year.

Youth Rally is a week long overnight summer camp held at a college campus and sponsored by the United Ostomy Association of America for children between the ages of 11 and 17 that have or have had bowel or bladder issues. Children come from across America and even other countries to meet other children who can relate to the experiences they have been through and spend a week being a kid and feeling normal. 

The week is jam packed with activities that include medical management sessions, diagnosis management sessions and self-esteem sessions. We spend a day doing fitness at the local college campus fitness center, visit an amusement park and water park for the day. There are several motivational speakers who have the same medical management conditions as the children who encourage the children to reach for the stars and never feel limited. We celebrate the many talents of our kids in a fashion and talent show and the weekends in a themed dance. Last year was Tiger King themed.

As a nurse I pride myself on the fact that I treat all my patients as individuals and recognize them for the whole human being that they are. As a ConvaTec me+ Clinical Support Nurse I have learned about their medical history, family dynamics, which team they root for (go Cards!), even their hobbies. All too often I get glimpses into the emotional struggles they are battling. They come to me usually at their worst, when they are sick, immediately after surgery or maybe an adjustment of their treatment plan. I work diligently to give them a quality of life.

BUT in my 25 years as a nurse I never really got to see them in their element. I never had the opportunity to see what their quality of life looks like. Youth Rally is an opportunity to SEE that quality of life. Once you have the gift of seeing that quality of life, you will forever be changed.

I never had the chance to see how impactful a program like Youth Rally has on those that participate either. My first year, I was assigned to a group of 11 and 12-year-old children. All week I was the WOC nurse caring for and teaching these 13 children. I remember we were doing an activity that involved the children making a painting or drawing about a hard time they experienced in their lives.

One of my campers had a sad drawing. I asked him about the drawing, and he proceeded to tell me that he had been bullied for his medical conditions at school so severely that he often had negative thoughts. He knew he had Youth Rally coming up and all year he looked forward to the one week a year he could be himself with no excuses and feel accepted. I wish I could say this story was unique, but it is commonly relayed in our self-esteem sessions.

I am so appreciative and proud of ConvaTec for supporting Youth Rally for so many years. ConvaTec has not only provided financial support to Youth Rally in the form of grants but also medical equipment donation for the supply room so the children can try new products. ConvaTec also has allowed Nurses and most recently non-nurses to volunteer a week of their time to work as a counselor or nurse for the week. I am preparing for my 5th year volunteering at Youth Rally this year and look forward to seeing my Rally family in July.

Thank you for reading my story.