http://www.thecouriertimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=45&ArticleID=284327

11/18/2013 8:45:00 AM
Victory Lane Camps organizer realizing his prayers
By SARA GEER

Cornerstone Campground will serve as a resource for families with children with disabilities next summer in what is believed to be the first official start for Victory Lane Camps.

Brett Fischer, the organizer and creator of Victory Lane Camps, told a packed room Friday night at First Baptist Church that his vision for the camp has been a seven-year process.

“Looking back there is only one God who could providentially orchestrate seven years of prayers, sleepless nights and ‘there has got to be a better way,'” Fischer said. “I’d like to foremost thank Him for what he is doing in our community.”

Fischer said the creation of Victory Lane Camps comes from spending 16 years working as a pediatric physical therapist trying to come up with creative ways to motivate his patients toward their rehab goal. The camp is instructed to not only care for the disability individual, but to refresh the entire family traveling the same stressful journey.

“Living with a disability is a constant, visible reminder of our human frailty,” Fischer said. “The truth is we are frail in every aspect of this image of God. This camp is designed for them to find some peace in their lives.”

Guest speaker and author Emily Colson, mother of Max, a 22-year old struggling with autism, understands the everyday challenges involved with caring for a disability child. Colson wrote the book “Dancing with Max.”

“I became a single parent when Max was just 18 months old and we went through a period that was very difficult,” Colson said. “I was holding on by a thread.”

A decision to break free from despair helped her to see what Max has to offer to the rest of the world.

“What I discovered is that not that Max learned how to navigate the community but that he could powerfully impact the world around him,” Colson said. “And people stepped out of their comfort zone and did kind things that they probably didn’t know they were capable of doing. And I saw him bring out the very best in people.”

Colson offered to speak at Friday’s fundraising banquet after hearing that Fischer had taken the Centurion Program through BreakPoint, a Christian nationwide worldview ministry. Emily’s father, Chuck Colson, founded the ministry.

Colson agreed the camp is needed for the New Castle area. It is good for participating families and volunteers.

“It’s also a gift to those who serve as volunteers at the camp. It’s really important for people to understand to be inspired to step up and help,” Colson said. “So anyone interested should really be brave enough to be blessed because people will be greatly surprised at the experience. There is nothing scary about this.”

Fischer said anyone inspired to help by donating or volunteering at Victory Lane Camps can check out the Victory Lane Camp website at victorylanecamps.org.

“For many of you the journey with Victory Lane Camps begins right now,” Fisher said. “God wants to raise our faith in him to make this camp a success in our community.”

Sara Geer is a staff writer for The Courier-Times. Follow her on Twitter@s_kovach.