Volunteers From David Monthan Air Force Base Fly Into the Hearts of Two MDA Brothers

TUCSON, Ariz., June 2007 – David Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Ariz., has formed a relationship with the 2007 Arizona MDA summer camp, running June 3-9 at Camp Shadow Pines in Heber, Ariz. They are sending seven volunteers to camp and two MDA brothers from Tucson are ready for this special friendship to begin.

Shortly following the first introductions to their new MDA camp counselors, Julian and Andrew Soto are already flying paper planes around their living room. It is an excitement hard to conceal, with MDA summer camp beginning this weekend… and their toys are wisely crafted.

These two incredible kids, both affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy, will travel on Sunday to the beloved MDA summer camp with the noble escort of volunteer counselors from David Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson. It is the first year the base has had this relationship with MDA and what a wonderful beginning… with seven Air Force Base camp counselors currently ready to serve.

Senior Airman Juston Murray and Airman First Class Raashida Whyte of David Monthan Air Force Base will be the Soto boys’ heroes next week and have already propelled into this steadfast relationship. Following a friendly house visit, Murray and Whyte invited the boys to a tour of the base. Whyte took them around the base, showing them the flight line, jets, old planes and even her dorm room, “They absolutely loved the tour! They kept asking, “Is that your plane? Is that your plane?” They were so excited.”

For Julian, 10 years old, this will be his fifth visit to MDA summer camp and he could not be more excited about his camp counselor, Mr. Murray, “He’s cool! He kind of looks like my cousin!”
Murray reciprocates this enthusiasm and laughs when describing Julian’s energy. As a Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment Flight Technician at the base, he hopes to use his experience at MDA summer camp as a time for personal gain. Because of his buddy, Julian, Murray knows that he will return from Camp Shadow Pines with a greater knowledge about muscular dystrophy.

And Julian will tell him all there is to know! If you ask Julian about his favorite MDA camp activities, he quickly speaks about wheelchair soccer, arts and crafts, and even about his special date to last year’s MDA camp dance. In his own words, “It’s so fun! I love everything there! What they do for us is really nice!” In fact, he has been filling his little brother in on such memories as Andrew, six years old, will be visiting Camp Shadow Pines for the first time.

But Andrew’s counselor, Ms. Whyte, is well-prepared. Originally from Florida, she grew up with a little sister and worked as a certified nurse aide before joining the military as an aircraft mechanic. Both are reasons why she decided to volunteer at MDA’s summer camp. Whyte says, “I’m away from my little sister and miss her so much. I’m just so excited to be able to join nursing and working with kids again.”
The Tucson brothers both have Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a slowly progressive neuromuscular disease that affects only boys and eventually involves all voluntary muscle weakness and wasting.
The Arizona MDA summer camp is at Camp Shadow Pines in Heber, Ariz., from June 3-9.

The MDA annually sponsors children and young adults with neuromuscular disease for one week at summer camp, largely because of individual and corporate donations to MDA. The cost is $650 per camper and knowledgeable camp staff, medical personnel and volunteer camp counselors help with fun activities and personal care. The week is full of wheelchair soccer, talent shows and many other planned activities for the kids. This year’s theme is African Safari.
-MDA-