Our Story

Sometimes to be a patient with neuromuscular disease means not being away on vacation. Sometimes it means no opportunity to participate in sporting activities such as swimming or baseball. Sometimes, it is nurturing friendships only through letters or postcards. 

In 1991, despite the need for an Adult summer Camp program, the Muscular Dystrophy Association made the difficult decision to eliminate all 21 and over adult camping programs from its budget. Adult dystrophy patients everywhere could no longer look forward to this week away from home each year.

Due to devastating effects of neuromuscular diseases, many adult patients cannot afford vacations or weekends away from home. In addition, many of these adults do not have friends or relatives who can properly take care of their medical and physical needs. Because of this, they are confined permanently to their homes or to the nursing homes in which they live. 

In the Detroit area, a virtually unheard of non-profit organization, VOLUNTEERS ASSISTING THE DISABLED (V.A.D.), learned of this situation and made it their personal mission to keep an Adult Summer Camp program going. Today, over 10 years later, that program is still going due to the phenomenal efforts of the people of V.A.D.  

The members of V.A.D. have had to work very hard to make this happen. A lot of work goes into preparation all year so that there will be food, lodging, medical staff and equipment, attendants to help with the care, a facility for activities and events, and entertainment for the campers. A typical week at camp for 50 adults cost approximately $25,000.  

V.A.D. is not a large organization. Members of V.A.D. are all VOLUNTEERS. There are NO paid employees, board members, or Officers in Volunteers Assisting the Disabled. Members are involved because they care! They believe in what V.A.D. is doing, the service needs that it meets, and the value of what it accomplishes for those with neuromuscular disorders. 

V.A.D., despite the relatively short time it has been in existence, has held dozens of fundraisers-Car washes, bake sales, candy sales, bowl-a-thons, garage sales, spaghetti dinners, and fall car cruises to name a few. This, along with contributions from many companies, organizations and personal donations is how V.A.D. had been funded the program. 

Members spend hundreds of hours each year getting donations for the Adult Camp Program and V.A.D. is committed to continuing this fine experience for the patients. With the help and support of caring people like you, adults can continue to look forward to camp each summer.