Help kids with facial differences become leaders

My name is Katie and I have been involved with AboutFace since I was two weeks old. I was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, bilateral Microtia, and a cleft palate. Treacher Collins Syndrome is basically saying that the bones in my face didn’t fully develop. I have a small face, small cheek bones, and an extremely small jaw. Microtia means that my ears also didn’t develop. Instead, I have little earlobes.

My facial difference can define me. But, it doesn’t define the fact that I love tea or that I’m a dancer, but it can define me by the fact I have to think twice before sitting down at a restaurant or that I change hearing aid batteries instead of earrings. It also defines me by the fact that I am courageous and brave. Living with a facial difference can be hard; I was called ugly before I even knew what that word meant. Every day I feel like I am on display when I walk down the street.

That is why Camp Trailblazers is so important to me. Camp Trailblazers is my escape. When I describe camp, the first word that pops into my head is “breathe”. I can breathe because it is my safe place. I am surrounded by people who get it. They understand the frequent hospital visits, the anxiety, and they understand what it's like to be me. We have so much fun at Trailblazers, but the best part is, no one is staring at you. No one is judging you. In fact, they’re cheering for you.

I was ten years old when I first stepped on that Camp Trailblazers bus. And every year since, camp never felt like going away - it was going home.

I LOVE birthdays! I love celebrating my friends and family on their birthday because they are important to me, and birthdays give me an easy opportunity to express my gratitude towards them. Camp Trailblazers may be inanimate; however its 15^th birthday is still a REALLY big deal for me, and is definitely something worthy of celebration!

Although I wasn’t able to attend Camp Trailblazers in its birth (inception) year in 2003, I am happy to say that I attended Camp Trailblazers for the very first time 2 years later, which was my first year of eligibility. I have had the privilege of attending Camp Trailblazers every year since then – first as a camper, then as a volunteer, and most recently as an AboutFace staff member.

After attending Trailblazers in my first year, my life had been changed. I had a new outlook on life, a wealth of knowledge, and a whole network of friends who understood what it was like to look different. From that point on, I wanted to spread the word about Camp Trailblazers and about the difference it had made in my life. I decided to spread the word in numerous ways, such as sitting at my local hospital on their clinic days to share stories about all of my wonderful experiences at camp. I made it my goal to help give everyone the chance to experience the amazing difference Camp Trailblazers can have on a person’s life. Now, as an adult, promoting Camp Trailblazers is actually part of my job description! It is such an honour to promote something I am so passionate about; something that has had a large influence on the person I’ve grown up to be!

Over the past 15 years, Camp Trailblazers has grown tremendously, as one does every birthday. What started out to be a ‘Teen Retreat’ weekend that was only offered to teenagers in Ontario has grown to include 8-18 year olds across Canada, in various provinces, and for longer periods of time. We have reached over 800 youth with facial differences! It is incredible to see a program that has been so influential in my life, grow and reach so many individuals across the country.

Happy Birthday, Camp Trailblazers! It’s time to celebrate the wonderful opportunities and life changing experiences camp offers to youth with facial differences!