Camp Alumni

Memories from the 1970's

Camp Ho Mita Koda in 1978-1981
Shared by: Eddie Quinones

"I attended Ho Mita Koda I believe in the summers of 1978 thru 1981. I always thought my mom and dad were just trying to get rid of me for the summer, but I always looked forward to going to camp every summer. This is where I learned to start taking care of myself and managing my diabetes. My parents were relieved that I started giving myself injections. I was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 4 in 1975. I was scared of death of neeedles until I went to camp Ho Mita Koda.

I remember the Butt and Belly club, I was a proud member of that club for 2 of the 3 years I attended. I also remember receiving the KODIAN award one of the years. I remember ringing the bell every morning and folding the flag and raising the American flag in the mornings. This was such an honor to a 9 year old. Sadie Hawkins Day was always fun. The Yeti hunt was a crazy time too. Following the muddy footprints into the bathhouse and then seeing the footprints go up the walls and ceilings---kinda figured someone had put them there after seeing that!! I remember singing songs in the morning after breakfast, such as "Father Abraham" and "Rise and Shine." Every once in awhile I will sing these to my wife to start her off in a good mood!!!

I remember drinking the bug juice at breakfast, lunch and dinner. I also remember the late night swims at the pool, the archery classes the shooting range and the hike to the river and camping out by the river. While at the river in the morning, I remember watching the counselors prepare breakfast in the giant frying pan over the fire outside.

I remember receiving patches and pins and awards for some of the accomplishments at the camp. One of the counselors I do remember was CB Bill. I even remember another camper named Dewey. He couldn't get blood drawn to check his sugar and I suggested to him to draw blood from his nose!!! He was subject to bloody noses and he thought it would work and be easier than trying to stick his finger several times. It did end up working after all!!!

After several years, I began to lose my eyesight due to diabetic retinopathy in the year 2000. 5 years later I began going into kidney failure and was placed on the list for both a kidney and pancreas. One may think that this is all a stroke of bad luck, however, my attitude remained optimistic and positive. I took even better care of myself more than ever. I was placed on the waiting list in March 2006. I began dialysis on January 23, 2006. By December 16, 2007, I received a phone call from University Hospitals that I was required to go to the hospital for the kidney/pancreas transplant. The kidney has been working great since December 17. The pancreas transplant did not take, however, and I will be placed back on that list again after March 2008. Once I receive the pancreas, I will live a life that I will have never known--no sugar testing, no insulin injections and no worries of my sugar being too high or low. If it wasn't for all the information I learned at Ho Mita Koda on how to take care of myself, I believe I would still be on dialysis waiting for a transplant.

These are some of my memories and they were filled with fun and good times and I am happy to share them here on the site."