Fletcher plans ‘Trek to Bay Cliff’

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ISABELLA - Fourteen-year-old Gene Fletcher of Isabella has been on a journey his whole life. Born with cerebral palsy and scoliosis, he is confined to a wheelchair. That has not stopped him from living life to the best of his abilities, though. "Fletcher," as his friends refer to him, is preparing for a feat that reflects his strength of character and his firm belief that he can do anything children without disabilities can do.

Filled with self-determination and not an ounce of self-pity, Fletcher is soon to embark on a journey that will test his inner strength, let alone his physical capabilities.

"My goal this year is to ride my wheelchair 100 miles," said Fletcher, "from Rapid River, on the northern tip of Lake Michigan, to Big Bay, on the south side of Lake Superior."

What is the purpose of this trek?

"By pushing, pulling or riding under my own power, this four-day trip will be an adventure that will last me a lifetime and allow me to give back to a program that means so much to so many," he explained.

Fletcher is referring to Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay, where approximately 180 youth ages 3-17 attend summer camp for seven weeks each year. There, youth with disabilities of various types learn new skills and have new experiences that enrich their lives and help them become more independent.

Since moving to Isabella from Sacramento, Calif. in 2002, Fletcher has been a regular camper at Bay Cliff. Despite his physical hinderances, he has created bracelets on his own every year, as a fund-raiser for the camp that means so much to him.

Now, in his sixth year, Fletcher has decided to help raise camp funds in a whole new way. "Trek to Bay Cliff" is a program he began, through which he and other campers can raise money for Bay Cliff. His goal is to "bring awareness to the world that kids like me can do the same as other kids without debilities." He explained that it's just a matter of doing things differently, and that youth such as himself "just want an opportunity to do these things."

Bay Cliff offers Fletcher and his co-campers that opportunity. Through physical, occupational, speech and music therapies, in combination with instruction for those with visual and speech impairment, Bay Cliff staff and volunteers work with individual campers to help them achieve new goals and master personal challenges.

"We spend seven weeks each summer having fun and learning new skills," said Fletcher, adding, "Bay Cliff is our summer home."

Having established Trek to Bay Cliff, Fletcher now wants to spread the word about both the undertaking and the opportunity for the public to make donations to the camp that means so much to him and scores of others who, like him, consider the camp a second home.

"I invite you on this journey with me," said Fletcher, as he prepares for the journey ahead of him. "Your contribution to Trek to Bay Cliff will help us raise needed funds," is his message to the public.

June 16, the trek will kick off at Trenary Lions Club with a baseball game and brat feed.

The following day, Fletcher and company will begin the day at 6 a.m. in Rapid River, with a 9 a.m. ceremony at Rapid River Lions Club before getting rolling at 10 a.m.

Traveling with Fletcher at different points throughout his journey will be: Scout Troop 400 of Manistique, led by Linda Mason; Fletcher's cousins, Sean and Adam Kell of Iowa; and several Big Bay elementary school teachers.

The group will stop every 6-8 miles (about once each hour) for Fletcher's wheelchair batteries to cool. Volunteers continue to be sought for these pit stops, at which the Fletcher and his companions will require water and snacks.

Through careful planning, Fletcher has been able to gauge the length of the journey at approximately four days. Once at Bay Cliff, all proceeds gathered will be turned over to Bennett in support of the camp's programs.

Fletcher invites interested individuals, businesses and organizations to make a contribution by sending a check to: Trek to Bay Cliff, P.O. Box 83, Nahma, MI 49864. Visit www.trektobaycliff.com for more information about this event.

"Help all of us accomplish our goals toward greater independence," said Fletcher. In consideration of all Bay Cliff has meant to him, he added, "Who knows? Maybe someday I, or one of my friends, can leave (Bay Cliff) walking."