While working for Pariser Dermatology, I was presented with the opportunity to be a camp counselor at Camp Discovery.  Even though all the campers and counselors at the camp had a skin disease, no one was defined by their condition.  There was a special acceptance and understanding at the camp that cannot be found anywhere else. The children had a chance to just be silly kids and do activities that they may not otherwise have had opportunity to do. They could go swimming or water tubing without worrying about stares or rude comments.

As an adult born with a skin disease, I know how important Camp discovery can be in the life of a child with a serious skin condition.  Because of Camp Discovery, none of these children will have to feel the isolation of thinking they are the only ones in the world who look or feel like they do.

I feel that my experience not only enlightened me, but enlightened some of the campers to achieve things that they previously felt they could not accomplish.  I cannot fully express how much I gained from my time at Camp Discovery this summer, but I can say that is was definitely the most rewarding experience of my life... Angi McCary

For more information about Camp Discovery contact the AAD at (847) 330-0230 or dkronde@aad.org