Courtney’s Story
This is Courtney’s Story:
Courtney Shatley is 15 years old and suffers from Diffuse Scleroderma, Polyarticular Arthritis and Acid Relux.
Diffuse systemic sclerosis/scleroderma is rapidly progressing and affects a large area of the skin and one or more internal organs, frequently the kidneys, esophagus, heart, and lungs. This form of scleroderma can be quite disabling. There are no treatments for scleroderma itself, but individual organ system complications are treated.
Polyarticular arthritis is the first type of arthritis which affects about 30-40% of children and is more common in girls than boys. Typically five or more joints are affected (usually smaller joints such as the hands and feet but many also affect the hips, neck, shoulders and jaw).
Acid reflux disease is a chronic symptom of mucosal damage caused by stomach acid coming up from the stomach into the esophagus which limits the types of foods she can eat.
When Courtney was younger, her father Troy, would take her sisters hunting but, Courtney never wanted to go.
At a National Rifle Association (NRA) banquet the family attended, they visited the “Hunt of a Lifetime” booth. Courtney asked her dad if she could apply for an Elk Hunt with “Hunt of a Lifetime” in Idaho. He was shocked to find out that she really did want to hunt; it was not that she did not want to hunt, she had just been too ill to go with her sisters.
With the help of ”Hunt of a Lifetime”, arrangement were made for Courtney to be our special guest at Dreams Come True Camp for Kids. She and her dad arrived at the Pine Mountain Ranch (website) in Idaho Falls, Idaho. We had a great time getting to know Courtney.
Courtney out for her Dreams Come True Camp for Kids hunt at Pine Mountain Ranch
What made this so special was that she was able to fulfill her dream hunt! On September 10, 2012, Courtney harvested her first “Trophy” bull elk – and what a trophy it is!
Courtney, Don,and her Trophy Elk !
Even more special, just two weeks after she left Pine Mountain Ranch, Courtney sent us a text message saying, “I got my blood work results today, it’s the first time in two years that they’ve been NORMAL. Pine Mountain Ranch and Dreams Come True Camp for Kids is a place of HOPE!”
We would like to thank all of our sponsors and volunteers for their generous donations and support in making Courtney’s “Dream Come True”. Her story, as well as “Hunter’s Story”, is what truly makes “Dreams Come True Camp For Kids” so special and why we are so passionate about what we do!
In closing, we received a very special “Thank You” note from Courtney’s mom and I wanted to share just a small part of it with you.
“…She talks all the time about going back to Idaho. God truly used you (DCT) to really bring joy and happiness to a young girls heart and I can’t thank you enough. I think what you do for these kids is wonderful! Thank you so much for your generosity and great hospitality – May God bless you all for your kindness. PS.. Her elk was unbelievable!…” Stephanie Shatley
Troy, Courtney, Don, CeCe, and Dorraine - Memories!
If you are interested in becoming a Sponsor of Dreams Come True Camp For Kids, please do not hesitate to contact us! There are many more kids out there we can help!