I received this email from Dr. Braico which I wanted to pass on to those families with children who are vent-dependent.

-jonathan

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I am the medical director of the Double H Ranch, a Paul Newman camp for
children ages 6 to 16 with serious and chronic illnesses. For the last 12 years,
we have offered a summer camp program and winter adaptive ski program for
children with life limiting illnesses.

Last year, we offered our first session for children and their families who
are on home ventilator therapy. We called it "Camp Inspiration". It was very
successful, and this year we hope to offer places to even more children and
their families.

In 2004, we held a 4 day session for 7 children and their families. They
enjoyed a special swimming program, using devices that allowed the children to
sit up in the water as they floated around, attended by specially trained nurses
and respiratory therapists. Families went on horse drawn wagon rides,
participated in Arts and Crafts, caught fish, played with animals in the petting
farm, and had fun in the science and nature program. Families got to meet and
talk with others who were in the same situation that they are. Siblings got to
enjoy special times together.

This year, our program will run from June 15-19, 2005. We are currently
accepting applications. We welcome families with a child that is on a ventilator
full or part time, or on Bi-Pap. (Children that have traches for other
reasons but do not require ventilator support are welcome in our regular camp
program.) We will be fully staffed with PICU physicians and nurses, and specially
trained respiratory therapists. Siblings from ages 6-16 are included in all
activities, and younger siblings are included with their parent's supervision.
Parents will be afforded some time away from the children for a little
pampering as well.

Double H is located in Lake Luzerne, NY, at the southern edge of the
Adirondack Park. Attendance at all Double H programs are free. Families are
responsible for their own transportation. Applications are available from our
admissions coordinator, Tara Crandall, at theranch@doublehranch.org, or by calling
her at (518) 696-5676 ext. 222. Further information about Double H can be
obtained from our web site, www.doublehranch.org. For any questions about the
program, or especially the medical aspect of it, I can be contacted at
ktbraico@aol.com.

I am hoping that some families on your email contact lists will be interested
in this great program. We are very excited about it this year, and plan to
bring in even more activities for the families to do.

Looking forward to hearing from some of you!
Kathleen Braico, MD
medical director,
Double H Ranch
97 Hidden Valley Rd.
Lake Luzerne, NY 12846