Every Now and Then, God Lets Us Make a Difference
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[(Editor's Note: Richard Smid is a good friend of mine, the son of Richard and Judy Smid of Du Quoin and a member of the Spirit of Life Christian Church. He is a gifted writer and published author, and the lines he penned following his work as counselor at Camp Roehr at Carlyle Lake--a camp for kids afflicted with epilepsy--should inspire all of us.--John H. Croessman)
"My name is Richard smid. I'm 38 years old. I have epilepsy.
" As I grew up, I noticed that I loved to help people, especially the people with the kind of problem that I have. Epilepsy. I knew that if I helped others discover the type of problems they face on a daily basis, that I would feel better about myself, as well.
"When I saw my doctor four years ago, he told me about Camp Roehr, a camp for kids. I was so excited to hear about this I wanted to help in any way that I could. I asked my doctor how I could get involved. So, my doctor told me all about it. For four years I was devoted to taking care of kids just like me. On June 7th through June 12th of 2009, I went to Camp Roehr at Carlyle Lake.
"Once there, I was waiting patiently looking at all the other campers walking around the room. Until a little 7-year-old boy named Ryan kindly walked up to me with his parents by his side and with a smile that reached from ear to ear. "Hello" he said in a shy voice. I looked down at him and said "Hello to you as well." I said hello to his parents also. They were a very nice couple I felt that they were both very loving toward Ryan and the problems he faces every day. Both Ryan's parents were kind toward me as well. They told me what to look for when Ryan has a seizure. "This is Ryan, and he is your camper for the week, alright Richard?" camp director Trudy said. "That's fine," I responded.
"So Trudy went over everything that might be an issue for Ryan and what I had to look for. "You really have to look after him." Trudy said, "He can have a seizure any time, but they are not bad. "I understand," I agreed. Then, they split the boys and girls up in cabins to stay throughout the week. So both me and Ryan sat down to get to know one another a little better. "Would you like to play cards?" Ryan asked with excitement. "Sure I would," I said. So we got out the cards and began to play "war." Of course, what I didn't know was Ryan was a good player.
"Whenever Ryan would have a seizure, his eyes would go up into his head. They would only last a minute or two. I would hold his arm very gently until he was alright once again.
"The night progressed very slowly for me. I could not sleep a wink. I could just lay there and look over at everyone else snore away in the darkness until it became light. Then came the dawn. Every single kid was up, except all of us counselors. All the kids were running around room to room, as only one of us was up trying to keep an eye on them.
"I forced myself to get up, for I couldn't help but hear all the yelling in my ear. So, as I slowly got up, I said in a weak voice, "Didn't we just go to sleep?" "No," the other counselor said. So, again they tried to calm the kids down and tell them to get dressed. I walked into the other room. "Hey, Ryan, it's time to get up." Ryan slowly sat up and wiped his eyes. "That-a-boy," I said. Then all of the kids started to get dressed and ready for the day.
"James was another camper that came this year. James is special in his own way, as well. James was 17, but he never talked...at all. He was like a bunny rabbit. Always hopping around, always had a smile on his face. We really had to watch him. James always had to wear a diaper. He just can't help himself. James was still a lot of fun though. He liked one certain pillow and would never let go of it.
'"By the end of the week I was tired but still happy that I knew I had helped all these kids, especially Ryan. I only witnessed Ryan have a few seizures. They were not that bad at all. I hated to see Ryan go home as I, of course, had to. I helped Ryan gather up his sleeping bag and suitcase.
"Then it came time to say goodbye to all the 16 campers. Ryan's mom and dad came to pick him up. They were very glad to see him. they each gave him a hug. I felt so happy inside that God gave me this chance to do something good in someone else's life. I got down on Ryan's level and said with a smile, "You be good now, you hear?"
"I will," Ryan said while his arms were wrapped around my waist. As I looked around at all the other counselors and their campers saying their goodbyes, I knew that I got the cream of the crop.
" As I saw my mom at the far end of the room, I was so glad to see her. I ran up to her and gave her a hug. We took pictures of all the people that I became friend with over the course of the week. As we were on our long trip home, I knew in my heart, all o these kids have problems much deeper than I have right now. So, I count my blessings every day.
"I promised myself I would return next year. I feel so blessed each and every day that God granted me the chance to help these kids each and every year. As a Christian, I shall pray every day for these kids. I will always look forward each year when I return to not only see, but to help once again these special kids.
"I know that my parents are so proud of me for doing this, as I am of them. I know God put me on this earth for this purpose, to help these kids that are just like I am.
For I know that these kids are just like everyone else--a miracle from God."
--Richard Smid