Galen and his mom are joined forces to raise funds for Ava’s Voice, an official partner of the Usher Syndrome Coalition. Ava’s Voice focuses on empowering youth with Usher Syndrome as they take on the world! Galen attended his first USHthis Camp in June 2023 held in New Jersey, USA.
Not only was this Galen’s first opportunity to experience a sleep-away camp given his hearing, vision, and balance issues, but it was life changing for him to connect with other USH kids who truly understand how he experiences the world and to gain confidence to believe that he can do the same things that other kids can do! He came away from that experience wanting to help make the camp a reality for other kids with Usher Syndrome.
Galen’s mom rain the Equinox Marathon in September 2023, during the fall equinox when light and dark are balanced before tipping into Alaska’s dark winter, a fitting metaphor for the blindness and other visual challenges that USH kids face every single day. Galen also walked it– a feat for anyone but especially for a 13 year old with his own vision, hearing, and balance issues. Collectively they raised over $8,000 dollars for the USHthis 2024 camp held in Michigan!
In September 2024 Galen’s bestie’s dad, Matthew Wooller, was inspired and ran the Equinox Marathon in honor of Galen and his excitement to attend the 2025 program. He raised enough to fund another camper!
Caroline and Galen continue to support the USHthis Summer Youth Camp program and the amazing work they do connecting USHearts around the world and helping kids to “dream it. believe it. crUSH it.”