Broken Camp Experience

Article by: Amber Palmer,M&M TIPster
Photo by: Brittany Vidal, M&M TIPster

OK, well some of you know that a student at Duke Tip at UGA was injured during the term and wound up with a cast on her foot. Well, that was my foot, it is now my cast, and it was most definitely me who got hurt. Granted, there are some bad parts, but don't you dare think it's all bad, just because I can't walk, can't get my own food, can't even go to the bathroom without getting someone else to open the doors for me. There are some good things.
For example, I get to ride in a car to get absolutely everywhere; to class, to meals, sometimes even to evening activities. I have been in every car in the camp and can name every one: Woodstock, Diddy Kong, Ed McMahon, Watson, Scrappy Doo, O'Brian (who hates me), Jane Lane, and Vanna White. I feel very accomplished, because how many TIPsters can say they have ridden in- and memorized the names of- every single car at Duke TIP at UGA? Also, I know who I want to ride around with. For example, Austin drivers kind of crazily; Greg pulls up straight to the front door (because if the pizza guy can do it, he can do it, too) but he listens to The River (bleh); and most of the girls can't drive the larger cars very well (the guys can't either, but they at least pretend they can).
For some reason, people are way more helpful when you can't do things for yourself. They open doors for me, move out of the way, or at least try to avoid being hit by my crutches... that kind of thing. I guess I'm way more intimidating with crutches than without. Another perk is that I've made a lot of new friends since I've gotten hurt, as well. Well, that's kind of the point of going to camp, and I probably would have been friends with them anyway, but this is way more fun. For example, all the office workers know my first, last and middle names and I usually don't have to wait very long for pills.
Another good thing is that I sometimes get to miss parts of class. I show up late occasionally, and have to leave a bit early for the cars to pick me up, and then there are things like doctor's appointments that allow me to sleep in late and miss an entire morning of class. If the appointments take too long, I can get real food for lunch instead of cafeteria food.
Unfortunately, there are some bad parts (obviously). This is my first year at TIP, so I have nothing to compare with, and this (my foot) will probably be one of the few things I remember about the camp in a couple years. Also, crutches absolutely stink. It's hard to get around, and the showers are so small that they can give me trouble, as well. As I mentioned earlier, I can't get through a door without help (although I am learning, or trying to, anyway), and when I leave in the morning (late because I don't go to breakfast) no one is usually around, and can get kind of difficult.
All around, I'm having a bit of fun with the whole hurt foot thing, the cast will be gone before I go back to school, and I can deal with it. However, I do NOT recommend breaking your foot during camp, especially if this is your first year.