Young Adult’s Autumn Retreat November 17-19, 2006
Victory Junction Gang Camp North Carolina

We are also thrilled to announce The Transverse Myelitis Association is partnering with the Victory Junction Gang Camp to hold a bi-annual autumn retreat weekend for young adults with TM, ADEM, NMO, and ON.  Caregivers, spouses or partners and parents of minors are also welcome.  The camp is located near Greensboro, North Carolina.  Please refer to the previous article for additional information about the camp program and facilities.  The Victory Junction Gang Camp Board has generously offered the TMA an opportunity to bring together our young adult community for a weekend retreat.  The weekend will provide a chance for you to meet with others who understand your experiences better than anyone.  We know that you will come away from this retreat with lifelong friendships. 

We are also inviting physicians from our Medical Advisory Board to attend this retreat weekend.  They will be there to participate in the activities and to answer your questions.  We will attempt to provide an information session about research in restorative therapies and short and long-term treatment and symptom management practices.  The emphasis is going to be on a weekend of fun and relaxation. 

As with the Kids Camp, there will be no charge for the young adult retreat weekend; your only cost will be transportation to the camp.  The Piedmont Triad Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina is approximately 20 miles away.

We know that young adults face special challenges in their lives; going to high school and college, dating, getting married and starting families, seeking employment and initiating careers.  We know that having the opportunity to share your experiences will be enriching and empowering.  We are inviting our members who are between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five to the young adult retreat weekend.  

We know that there are many of you from this age group who live outside of the United States.  I communicate with many of you regularly, and know that you would greatly benefit from being able to spend a weekend together.  I urge you to find a way to get to the retreat, even though it will only take place over a long weekend in November.  Please be creative in how you think about this possibility.  Consider combining the trip with some additional travel in the United States.  I would also urge you to contact other members who will be attending and you might consider making arrangements to extend your time together in the States.  We will set up a bulletin board system on our web site to facilitate your communications with each other. 

If you are interested in attending, we need to know of your intentions.  Spaces will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  To reserve a place for you and a companion at camp or if you have any questions, please contact Stephen Miller at smiller[AT SIGN]myelitis.org 

Please visit the web site to learn more about Victory Junction Gang Camp:  www.victoryjunction.org.   We will also set up a Retreat Weekend page on the TMA web site, so please visit regularly to receive news and updates.  We will be posting more information as the details are confirmed.