The Woman Who Changed my Life in One Summer

It was the summer of 2019 and it was just the beginning of yet another summer at The Summer Camp for Girls in Washington Maine. I had been a staff at this camp for what was going to be my second summer but I had grown up there as a camper and a counselor in training. The staff was just beginning to start our training for that summer when our boss announced that we would be having another staff come in but she would be late due to flying in internationally. We were about three days in when Mandisa arrived. Turns out she had come from Johannesburg, South Africa and that is why it took her so long to get to camp. I know this sounds cliche, but as soon as Mandi arrived I knew she was different. I know what you're thinking, no not in a love kind of way; in a inspiring way. Something about her presence gave me chills from the start. Just like I was about to meet someone who I never would forget.

The next morning our boss told us all to meet down at the dance hall for an activity. So my friends and I head down. Mandi was quiet and I had not seen much of her so I remember being excited for the activity so maybe I could connect with her and be her friend that way. For this activity, we were assigned to pick two plastic animals that would help define us as a person. We all went around in a circle and when it got to Mandi everyone began to get quiet once again. Mandisa has this thing about her where everything she says she has to be percise and powerful. So she was quiet and then she began to speak. She had a bird and a horse and essentially explained that those two were to help explain that she wished that she could fly or run from her country but she did not have any way to get out. Her voice became very shaky and I was so moved I was kind of speechless. I wish I could explain how much I wanted to run to her and hug her in that moment. Of course, I only barely knew her at this point so I just sat back and thanked my boss that she chose Mandisa to come here and be with us.

At this point, my boss told me I should look into her story a bit because she is even more motivating and inspiring than I knew. Her story is not my story to share so I will not do that here. I will just say that during rest hour that day, I ended up looking her up. I remember just laying in my bed shocked and honored that I even got to speak to her. Nevermind, be her friend. I remember approaching her that night and just letting her know that I was there to talk and be there for her for whatever she needed. Little did she know, I was dying to be her friend and I could nearly look at her and be beaming with a smile because I got to meet her. It was in that moment that I knew it would truly be a summer that would change my life.

Mandi and I became more and more close as the weeks went along and the kids came and went. From messing around on the basketball court to making sure she was eating something. We were side by side always. When our first day off came about, Mandisa came to my house and we went to the beach. I remember calling my mother the night before and warning her that someone who inspired me was coming to the house so everything had to be perfect. She said within that time that it was truly one of the best days of her life. I was so happy to even be hanging out with her. She was already a hero in my head.

Unfortunately, one night I was doing photography for a huge tag game at camp and I looked up and saw my boss carrying Mandi up the hill. I literally dropped my camera in the middle of the field and ran up the hill. Initially, I thought she just hurt her ankle but I ran up anyway because I just wanted to see if there was anything that I could do to help. Once I got up the hill I realized that it was something way more serious. Once I got to Mandi and my boss, my boss had already shot a epi pen in her leg. That is when my brain went into automatic help mode. I remember immediately grabbing Mandi's hand to comfort her. At that point she was shaking uncontrollably and I was holding onto her. One of the camp nurses and I jumped into the car to rush to the hospital. I remember sitting next to her with my head on her shoulder still holding her hand so she would know that she still had someone she trusted with her. She was still shaking and going in and out of consciousness at this point. I remember the camp nurse telling me to keep tapping her to make sure she stayed alert.

This situation only got worse. Keep in mind that we were in the middle of no where so the closest hospital was a half an hour away. We were going as fast as we could. It was at that point that Mandi went completely unconscious and we had to stop the car to give her more Epinephrine. You see, Mandi was so small that once we gave her a second shot of epinephrine it was not processing because it was running through her body so fast. We were on the side of a random road in the middle of no where and still all I could think about was to keep holding her hand and doing the best I can to help. I have to say that I never thought once in that time that she would be gone. I knew that me and my co worker could do it. I knew she was strong enough to get through it. After a very stressful call with emergency services and trying to keep her conscious for twenty minutes with a yellow funnel because we did not have a mask for CPR. I am so happy to say that Mandi was ok.

We followed the ambulance to the hospital and they were able to give her the necessary care to keep her alert and alive. Waiting to see her in the waiting room was the longest 20 minutes in my life. When I saw her with her eyes open it was truly the best moment in my life. She did not remember anything that happened within that time. So I was just sitting there still holding her hand as she cried happily. The one thing that she told me she remembered was me holding her hand throughout the entire thing. I cannot explain how thankful I am, being able to even remember that moment. I don't know if I have ever felt closer to any other person after that. I can't really explain the feeling, other than complete and utter love for her.

We have countless memories from that summer. The story never really ends of laughter and love really. Mandi if you are reading this, I love you more than any other person in this world. You are my family forever. On the last day of camp it did not feel real. I think I was in denial of leaving her. Every good time has a end eventually and that day did come. Mandi had not cried all day and I was trying to hold it together as best as I could. One last hug and we both were crying. It felt like all the memories had just all hit my chest at once. All you could hear were sniffles. I know that was not the last time I will see Mandi. I know I will be together with her again some day. It may take time, but I know it will happen one day. Thank you for listening.