Fun salves burn injuries

At Camp 'Can' Do, kids can forget about injuries for week of games, activities

Video

Campers at Camp Can Do, for kids 6-17 who have suffered burns, enjoyed their last full day with the Firefighter Games and Carnival held at St. Christopher on Seabrook Island with more than 40 other children. Watch »

Clarissa Lesueur of Mount Pleasant was 4 years old when a gasoline tank fell into a fire and caused an explosion that burned parts of her body.

T'keyah Robinson of St. Stephen was 8 years old when she bumped into her mom, causing a pot of boiling water to fall on her, burning her face and shoulders.

Duane Jenkins of North Charleston was only 11 months old when a house fire burned 85 percent of his body, sending him to the Medical University of South Carolina's intensive care unit for nearly a year.

These three children, along with 39 others between the ages of 6 and 17 from across the state, are summer campers at the 12th annual Camp 'Can' Do this week at Camp St. Christopher on Seabrook Island.

Camp 'Can' Do is a five-day camp designed for children who have suffered a burn injury.

The MUSC Children's Hospital Pediatric Burn Services and South Carolina Firefighters sponsor the camp that puts children in a fun environment with others who have shared similar experiences.

Camp coordinator and founder Jill Evans said the camp helps address physical and emotional problems and attempts to make recovery as easy as possible.

"We try to make the experience positive for them, and to see how happy the kids are, that's what's rewarding for the counselors," she said.

The camp is free for all children, and all the counselors are volunteers. Ken Gypin said his only motive is watching the children enjoy themselves.

"I'm doing anything and everything under the sun to make the kids have fun," he said.

Over five days, the counselors have led the campers in activities such as kickball, fishing, a drum circle and beach time. On Wednesday, the camp hosted firefighter games and a carnival with relay races, water slides and more.

Volunteer camp nurse Susan Wimberly has been with the camp for 12 years and has treated many of the campers at MUSC.

"I've had to see them grow through so much pain in their healing process, and now you can see them having a blast and being accepted by their peers," she said. "For Duane to be out here, running around, having a good time, it's a miracle and a blessing to see."

T'keyah, now 15, has been coming to the camp for six years and is always sad to leave. "The camp has helped me feel good about myself and taught me not to be self-conscious," she said.

Reach Nathan Frandino at nfrandino@postandcourier.com.