As summer comes I look forward to the warm weather, camping, barbecues and spending time with family and friends. As I anticipate this summer's activities, I also reflect on stories from past summers. The following story continues to inspire me.
Brighton Girls' Camp is a camp run by the LDS church for girls who are 12 to 14 years old. The camp is staffed by young ladies who are typically 16 years old to their mid 20's. Brighton is located in Big Cottonwood Canyon in Utah, nestled among the trees, hills and boulders. It is beautiful, but not the easiest location for a young girl who is confined to a wheelchair.
In 2012 the leadership of Brighton was asked if there was a way they could accommodate a young lady in a wheelchair at camp. The request was that she be able to enjoy one day at camp. As it was discussed, they were determined to find a way for her to not only join them for one day, but the whole week. They knew that they could find a way.
When her week came, she did stay the whole week. The girls in her group were happy to help her and all of the staff was there for her as well. She was enjoying a week of being a Brighton camper. Near the end of the week, her counselor asked who in their group wanted to go on the sunrise hike. Nearly everyone in the group raised their hands, including this sweet girl. The hike is tough. Girls have to get up hours before dawn in order to make the climb to one of the highest peaks in the canyon to view the sunrise. Hiking in the dark with little sleep is hard on even the strongest girls, but how would they accommodate a girl who was confined to a wheelchair?
Her counselor, other staff members and the camp president discussed it. They knew it was the right thing to do and they had to find a way. The staff knew what they needed to do, "We will carry her." And they did.
They trusted in each other and in their Heavenly Father to get them and this sweet girl up the mountain. When one's strength would start to fail, another would step up and continue to carry her. They didn't let her feel like she was a burden, but a blessing. The joy they must have felt when they reached the peak! They said that the joy she radiated was amazing and lifted them and gave them enough strength for the trip down the mountain.
While watching the sunrise, she was free. She was able to sit at the peak, crawl to her own special rock and view God's masterpiece.
Every time I see this picture, it touches my heart. Yes, that is her out on the rock, enjoying a view she never thought possible. I can't imagine the courage and faith it must have taken for her to even raise her hand the day before. And the faith the leaders had as they said yes.
"Don't limit yourself and don't let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities. You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith." ---Thomas S. Monson
That is touching.
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