hole in the woods

Hole in the Woods: a healing example for all of us

By Barry Bittman, MD

There is a place nestled in the woods where miracles happen¾ one child at a time. It’s The Double H Hole in the Woods Ranch, and it exists for those it so wonderfully serves through the generous efforts of actor, Paul Newman and philanthropist, Charlie Wood.

The Double H is actually a camp in the Adirondaks, set apart from the rest of the world by a unique ideology and an unparalleled approach. For me, as a physician who has treasured every moment teaching its medical staff, guiding its counselors and working with its children, the camp serves as a glowing light on the horizon¾ a beacon of humankind’s greatest potential.

A unique philosophy abounds and is shared by the entire staff. Nothing is permitted to stop a child¾ not Hemophilia, not Sickle Cell anemia, not Muscular Dystrophy, not AIDS, and not cancer. At The Double H, every child is equal, regardless of race, religion, or illness. The staff simply does not recognize disability. And after just a short time, neither do the campers.

From arts & crafts, horseback riding, hiking, and rowing, to traversing a rope course 40 feet above the ground, everyone is encouraged to participate. Not one camper is excluded. The camp’s “can do” attitude is unbeatable, as even quadriplegia, (paralysis of all limbs) isn’t enough to hold a child back. And when it comes to having fun, life-threatening illness is no match for the Hole in the Woods gang!

The medical staff has that covered as well. An incredible team of dedicated physicians and nurses is led by the kind of pediatrician you dream of for your child. Dr. Kathleen Braico dedicates her efforts to ensuring that each child enjoys every possible moment. Experiences that would ordinarily be impossible under the circumstances, become reality for children whose lives have been one series of compromises after another. Intravenous antibiotics followed by white-water rafting excursions routinely replace a hospital day in the real world.

I credit this to the philosophy behind Paul’s Body Shop, the clinic named for Newman’s interest in racing that handles its share of cuts and scrapes, runny noses, and itchy mosquito bites. Yet, it is also a place where each child’s fortitude and bravery touch the hearts of every member of the medical team. For in this clinic, children routinely prepare their own medications, apply tourniquets to their own arms, and inject life-saving solutions into their veins without a tear or a wince of pain.

And when the tears do flow, as in the case of a painful Sickle Cell crisis, traditional pain killers are never administered without hand holding, hugs, kisses, magic tricks, and unrelenting reassurance.

Normalizing each child’s experience is foremost, and precious time is never wasted. If an activity is in progress, nurses routinely bring medication to the site, so that no child is singled out to miss more than a moment of fun. Yet sometimes, it’s hard to believe that such enjoyment is possible, when one considers the challenges that the children are really facing. Surprisingly, the medical reality is barely apparent.

The real magic of participating in the remarkable transformation of each child keeps the entire staff emotionally synchronized. Counselors learn to handle what can only be described as extraordinary, as they watch their campers meet each challenge head-on with a smile and a sense of pride that they proudly wear in difficult situations that bring tears to my eyes. I personally worked with a 10 year-old who just couldn’t wait to finish injecting life-sustaining clotting factors into his vein, so that he could show off his juggling expertise.

The glue that holds the ranch together is Max Yurenda, the camp’s visionary director, a charismatic leader who eats, breathes and sleeps the dream. His team, primarily medical students, and special education majors lives the philosophy as well. And for just the right touch of wisdom, the camp is also staffed by an elder hostel; seniors (on a waiting list) who actually pay for the opportunity to serve as counselors, one week at a time. In such an environment, nurturing naturally evolves … for the children and for each other. The feeling is no less than contagious.

Every time I make that right-hand turn off the main road that leads to the ranch, my world changes. My life takes on new and deeper meaning, my confidence in our potential for working together grows, and my faith in the power of unconditional love is renewed. Lately, I seem to dream about what the world would be like if each and every one of us joined the Hole in the Woods gang¾ Mind over Matter!