‘You don’t feel alone’: Du Quoin, Illinois, sports camp for kids with limb differences continues to inspire
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‘You don’t feel alone’: Du Quoin, Illinois, sports camp for kids with limb differences continues to inspire
The NubAbility All Sports camp lets kids with limb differences play sports and find their confidence. Founder Sam Kuhnert saw a need after attending a limb difference sports camp when he was younger. Over its history, the camp has hosted more than 2,200 kids from all over the country. “It’s really nice because you don’t feel alone. And everyone has the same experience as you,” first-year camper Sydney Hodel from Bloomington, Illinois, said. “The joy of watching someone own who they are and not just limit them is them that’’s just the price you put on them,” coach Shane Boyett said.”Knowing that you’re not alone in the hardship, and know that you can do anything you put your mind to,” said camper Grayson Daily, who lives in Dallas. “I’ll be honest with you, this is one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life,” coach David Mohn said.
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DU QUOIN, Ill. — It’s evident from the moment you arrive at Du Quoin High School that the NubAbility All Sports camp is a special place to be.
For 14 years, the camp has been letting kids with limb differences play sports and find their confidence.
NubAbility is the brainchild of Du Quoin native, Sam Kuhnert. He saw a need after attending a limb difference sports camp when he was younger — and a calling to fill a need for kids like him.
“I voiced it to my mom and she said one of the most powerful statements I’ve ever heard: ‘I would’ve driven you across the country to get you in front of you when you were cut from your sixth-, seventh-and eighth-grade baseball team,'” Kuhnert said. “A week before we became a nonprofit, I was diagnosed with a life-debilitating disease and given a few months to live. And the good Lord gave me a second chance and I had promised him if he gave me that second chance I would live this life to serve him and serve others.”
Kuhnert’s first camp had 19 campers. Since then, they’ve hosted 80 camps, welcoming kids from 49 states and 11 countries.
From basketball to archery to football to wrestling, kids get to embrace their athletic dreams in just about every sport. And they get to do it alongside kids and coaches who look just like them.
“I’ll be honest with you, this is one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life,” NubAbility coach David Mohn from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, said. “I never had anyone have the ability to teach me how to do these things and to be able to be proficient at it and to be able to teach the kids who look like myself so they have an upper hand already to compete in these sports.”
“They’re surrounded by people the same as them. They’re not standing out. They’re not different,” Du Quoin teacher and coach Shane Boyett said.
Over its history, the camp has hosted more than 2,200 kids from all over the country. But no matter where they come from, there is a universal message.
“What I love most about this is it’s just fun to be in community. Being able to meet people like you. Being able to understand one another,” said 14-year-old camper Grayson Daily, who lives in Dallas. “It’s also fun to be able to know that you’re not alone in the hardship, and know that you can do anything you put your mind to. And sometimes people will say, ‘You can’t do this or you can’t do that, but you can.’”
“It’s really nice because you don’t feel alone. And everyone has the same experience as you,” first-year camper Sydney Hodel from Bloomington, Illinois, said. “You don’t have to worry about people making fun of you or being different. Everyone’s unique.”
“You’ll watch kids come into our camp and they’ve hidden their limb difference away and they’re a little shy. A lot of our kids come from small town, rural areas all over the country, so to them, this is the first time they’re ever seeing someone like them let alone adults or kids,” Kuhnert said.
No matter where they come from, NubAbility has a scholarship program to make sure any kid can come and participate.
“The joy of watching someone own who they are, and not just own who they are, but knowing that the only person who can limit them is them, that’s just the joy you can’t even really put a price tag on,” Kuhnert said.
“What he’s done here and the hard work and his family, everything they’ve put into it. It’s a special week. And of course we’re proud of Sam. The whole town’s proud of Sam and hopefully it continues to keep growing,” Boyett said.
By the end of the week, the campers leave with memories and friends for a lifetime, and perhaps a newfound courage to face their challenges with confidence.
“Knowing that you were created perfectly just the way you are. You can do anything you put your mind to. You’re not put in this situation to struggle, you’re put in this situation to thrive, and we’re going to show you how,” Kuhnert said.
“Looking at all these people who are different, you can watch them and learn from them and look up to them,” Daily said. “They will push you hard, and it will be challenging and exhausting but it is fun and it is worth it.”