Sam: Impacting Lives, Continuing to Thrive

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Blog by Mike Nicastro
https://mikethoughtsblog.wordpress.com/author/mikethoughtsblog/

It was the end of week two in the late afternoon, and Sam and I were slowly making out way up the ramp to Goldbricks on our way to dinner. He turned to me and said, “Well, it’s been really fun being a server these past two weeks!”

I asked him what he meant by that, and he said, “Well, now that the Capernaum weeks are over, I guess I won’t be a server anymore.”

I exclaimed, “What are you talking about?!! You’re a server all four weeks of camp! Why would you think that just because the campers will no longer have disabilities that you wouldn’t continue serving them?”

After processing that for a moment, he lit up with his classic cheek to cheek grin, that can only be labeled as a Sam McKamey smile. He didn’t say anything other than the word, “Oh,” but the rest of the way to the dining hall he kept that silly jubilant grin stamped on his beautiful face.

The following night Sam served his first camp meal at a traditional high school week of camp, and he did it with joy, kindness, and excellence. The next two weeks were the most fun I’ve ever had with another person. Whether we were washing windows, eating meals together, or singing Christmas carols during shower time, Sam and I were having a blast. One thing was clear, Sam McKamey was
thriving. You see, at Carolina Point Sam wasn’t a guy with Cerebral Palsy, he was “just a guy being a dude,” as I frequently stated. Back in Knoxville, Sam has been told he can’t do things all his life, however, at Young Life Camp, that doesn’t fly. Sam worked hard, had his own responsibilities, and didn’t let his disability be a reason for him not to do anything. He did everything I could do. The guy even went down a 60 foot slide with joy that rivaled a dog in a ham bone factory.

Although Sam and I have since returned to our respective homes, and we deeply miss our time at Carolina Point, it is very obvious to me that Sam McKamey will continue to serve. Whether it’s on Summer Staff or even Program, as his friend Owen showed us is possible, Sam McKamey’s gifts will be used - impacting so many lives, like he did mine, and continuing to thrive.

Check out this great video interview with Sam and Mike!



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