They are the CHAMPions
By JAY COOPER
6/21/2000
Doctors at
intimidating away from their own home turf.
Cardiologists at Saint Francis visited current and
former patients at CHAMP Camp, a camp for children with
congenital heart problems held at Shepherd's Fold Ranch in
Avant, June 11-16.
Seeing doctors outside of the hospital develops a better
relationship with younger patients, said pediatric
cardiology nurse Debi Lammert.
`In the hospital
environment they're usually more frightened of them. So
this is a chance for the kids to get to know (the doctors)
in a more informal environment,` she said.
CHAMP Camp, witch stands for Children with Heart
Abnormalities have Much Potential, makes children more
comfortable with their heart problems and also seeks to
help children with heart problems realize that they can be
independent and participate in normal childhood
activities.
`The purpose of the camp is to give kids with heart
disease as normal of a camping experience as possible in a
medically-supervised environment,` Lammert
said.
Nurses are at the camp full-time to supervise the
children's health while they participate in activities
such as horseback riding, canoeing and swimming.
For many of the children who have had surgeries, CHAMP
Camp gives them their first opportunity to participate in
things such as swimming without feeling self-conscious
about their scars.
`They're probably complimenting each other on their
scars here,` Lammert said.
Most of the physical activities do require some physical
work, but Lammert makes sure it is not too exerting.
She
said the key to keeping most of the kids from having
problems is to keep them well hydrated and to make sure
they don't over-exert themselves. Camp counselors help with
making sure of the latter.
`We modify activities so they can participate to the
full amount,` Lammert said.
`Little kids get lots of piggy
back rides and car rides.` While watching the activity
level is important, Lammert said with most children
at
camp, a problem of overexertion can be spotted and tended
to in time. She said one of the common misconceptions of
children with heart trouble is that their heart will
stop.
While there are hundreds of children's heart problems,
Lammert said this is usually not true. Usually,
children
with heart problems have trouble because too much blood
flows to their lungs or they just get short of breath.
`A lot of people think these kids' hearts are just going
to stop. Most of the time that's not a risk for them,`
Lammert said. `For most of the kids you have the
chance to
notice that something is wrong and stop it.`
She said another misconception about children with heart
problems is that they can't be excited or upset because it
will cause heart problems.
`Usually getting them excited is not a problem. People
think you shouldn't get them upset or let them cry, but
that's a normal part of life,` Lammert
said.
Getting them excited can actually be a good experience
for the children, Lammert said. Thinking the children
can
not participate in any activities is another
misconception.
`A lot of people think they're invalids. Most of them
have some restrictions, but they can do a lot of things,`
she said.
And allowing them do normal activities lets the children
to feel normal. This in turn builds confidence, which is
really the point of the entire camp.
`It's important because they gain some self-esteem and
independence while they're at camp,` Lammert said.