>
> http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20050409-9999-2m9campkid.html
>
> Because of his rare connective tissue disorder, Danny Hickey, 8, of Santee
> wears protective padding every day to ensure that he does not injure his
> sensitive skin. He sports a back brace to right his curved spine, so he
> does
> not wrench his fragile joints.
>
> But this weekend, Danny won't look so different from everyone around him.
> He's going to be a special guest at the Toyota Grand Prix, where race-car
> drivers wear special clothes like fire-proof Nomex suits, helmets, goggles
> and gloves to protect themselves too...
>
> Danny had attended The Painted Turtle Camp last summer, one of nine camps
> run by Newman's charity.
>
> "We were really impressed by his spirit and his raw energy," said Alison
> LeMasters, external relations manager at The Painted Turtle Camp. "He's
> one
> of those personalities that really lives every moment of his day fully."
>
> Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang camps allow children with debilitating
> disorders such as cancer, HIV/AIDS and sickle cell anemia to attend a
> weeklong camp during the summer or a weekend camp during the school year.
>
> The kids can participate in physical activities that they may not usually
> get a chance to ­ like swimming, hiking and other sports. Medical care is
> always on hand and the camps are free of charge.
>
> Danny's week at the camp in Lake Hughes, northeast of Los Angeles, was
> full
> of firsts.
>
> "I rode horses, got to catch my first fish, made a checker board in wood
> shop," he said Thursday.
>
> It was an exercise in independence for him and his mother. She provides
> constant care for Danny ­ acting as his personal aide at Hill Creek
> Elementary in Santee and tending to his medical needs at home with the
> help
> of two nurses.
>
> His condition, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, can weaken the vascular system,
> skin,
> internal organs and joints.
>
> He uses an electric wheelchair because he tires easily. When his disorder
> is
> at its worst, he gets many cuts and bruises, so his mother swathes his
> legs
> in cushioned gauze daily.
>
> Taking care of Danny is a full-time job and she rarely gets a vacation, as
> she did when he went to camp.
>
> "It was incredible for me because I don't get breaks like that," she said
> Thursday. "I haven't felt that type of freedom in a very long time."...
>
> Danny gets to be a part of the action. He will take a "parade lap" around
> the track with race driver Bruno Junqueira, who came in second at last
> year's grand prix. Danny will be the only child representative from
> Newman's
> camps to get the star treatment during the races this weekend...