Tag Archives: Bay Cliff

Smart Fun: On Becoming Pampered Campers and Smiling Sunrise-Watchers

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On a deep-frozen wintry day in Michigan, it’s revitalizing to rekindle warm memories of our Bay Cliff Post-Polio Wellness Retreat last September…

Offered for the past 11 years at the Bay Cliff Health Camp in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, such post-polio wellness retreats have created a wonderful opportunity for polio survivors.

The exceptional feature of these wellness retreats is that they have been designed to zero in on the unique and little-known needs of people who are growing older with polio’s late effects.

Located 28 miles northwest of Marquette, Bay Cliff’s woodland getaway is not only beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Superior; it is completely wheelchair accessible. This retreat’s venue and program design intentionally foster a safe haven for open exchange among polio survivors.  Everyone is encouraged to feel like part of a supportive family of friends.

These adult campers arrive, ready to learn and have fun. This year, over 40 polio survivors, along with friends and spouses participated in the retreat’s full range of daily programs that were designed to address wellness of mind, body and spirit. Everyone received individualized attention from a blend of volunteer retreat facilitators—post-polio physicians, counselors, nurses; physical, occupational, and recreational therapists; members of the clergy, and those from a wide range of other helping vocations.

As my winter reverie brings our Bay Cliff experience into even clearer focus, I realize that we were indeed having smart fun. First, we had intelligently chosen to learn even more about living with a post-polio disability. We were shrewd seekers of good health — reaching out to discover how to incorporate new positive health behaviors into our lives.

Every day we attended educational programs. Topics ranged from up-to-date information about post-polio syndrome, to exercise, to meditation, to tapping into our spiritual strength. People learned all kinds of new information and came to practical, often profound revelations.

Here’s one practical piece of camping information that Mark discovered:

“Powered chairs and crutches are much more effective in the camp environment than manual wheelchairs.   There is too much stress put on the shoulders with the manual lightweight chairs, especially when traversing the inclines around the camp.”

Perhaps as powerful, was the support and information that post-polio participants exchanged with each other. We openly shared life experiences that included many of our well-earned secrets for living a successful life with a disability.

Bonnie revealed:

“I find as I am held captive more and more by my advancing disability, more adjustments have to be made and sometimes I am not sure how or what to do.  Or sometimes, I am not aware that adjustments even need to be made because I am in denial or just have not come to the conclusion that things have changed.  At some points, I find I am owned by regret rather than taking action (or maybe less action in the case of PPS).  Being at Bay Cliff is so freeing…no pretenses… and I am informed by my own regret rather than being owned by it.  Sometimes it takes being with others who share your issues to realize problems need confronting, and I learn lessons on how to confront them in a safe, healthy way.“

As people shared many of their personal challenges and concerns, deeper friendships were nurtured.  And Frederick Maynard, M.D. international expert on the late effects of polio, continued to be one of our best friends. He not only was a primary founder of the program in 2006, he has also attended each year, providing medical direction and generously answering each person’s particular questions. During the course of every day, he could be seen freely helping retreat participants with medical advice and counsel, whether it was during a planned group session or in a spontaneous one-on-one encounter. As one camper disclosed, “Words cannot express the level of devotion and commitment that Dr. Maynard has for the polio population. I have grown to love and respect him for his efforts, knowledge and deep understanding of what we are going through. You can see it in his eyes.”

We were not only ready to learn; we were also ready to have fun. This often meant taking part in experiential learning opportunities, which were set up to be both engaging and enjoyable.  For one short week we had become pampered campers and smiling sunrise watchers.  Every activity was adapted for us so we could participate. We went fishing, swam, danced, sang, walked and rolled on nature hikes. We had lively fun in the balmy warm weather as we learned important tips on how to stay healthy. In our sixties and seventies, many of us had first-ever recreational experiences, like learning how to dye silk scarves or discovering how to use a bow and arrow.

On having fun, Cathleen conveyed:

“I’d never heard of the NuStep and really enjoyed trying and learning it. I thrilled to the recumbent hand-cycling with Don as we flew down a country road incline. He adjusted and fixed a bike so it fit me. Dr. Maynard kindly helped me walk into Lake Superior, however briefly! There were so many fabulous experiences that I can’t list them all. I’d never been fishing before and thoroughly enjoyed that sunny and relaxing afternoon in the pontoon boat on Lake Independence with Max, the expert fisherman. I loved the warm pool and helpful lifeguard. I remember the wonderful picnic in the sunny orchard and picking plums afterwards…”

Others described their retreat experience as:

“…a homecoming…mellow… warm… grounding… humorous…enlightening…  expanding… reflective…challenging…flirty…”

Oh, and before the week was up, we had adopted a crazy, new, original camp song destined to become a Bay Cliff classic. We sang it throughout the week to the chorus of the “Beer Barrel Polka.”  For all the brave songsters reading here, you may want to try singing it…

The Post-Polio Polka

Roll out the scooters

We’ll have a barrel of fun!

Whip on your braces

We’ve got the blues on the run!

Seize both your crutches

Sing out a song of good cheer.

Now’s the time to dance our polka

‘Cuz the gang’s all here!

 

We’re all at Bay Cliff

Happy to sing you this tune!

We “get” each other

And we’ll be leaving too soon.

Dance how you want to

Now we have nothing to fear!

Polio’s become our polka

‘Cuz the gang’s all here!

 

Catchy music, fresh air, new information, physical activity, emotional support…the positive impact of Bay Cliff’s post-polio retreat can be long-lasting.

Simply rekindling the warmhearted musical memories of our retreat has revitalized my own feelings of inspired renewal and loving regeneration. That’s a wonderful gift.

It’s a big bear hug on this very cold winter day.

Or, perhaps better said…

it’s a big Bay Cliff hug.

 

 

 

 

Scrunch! (that’s the sound of a friendly e-hug),

Sunny

P.S. Have you ever thought about starting a post-polio wellness retreat in your area?

 

The original version of this article was published in Post-Polio Health: Winter 2018 (Volume 34, Number 1.)