Finding Community at Camp Brady: Family Stories of Connection and Hope

In April 2026, the HAEA hosted Camp Brady, the very first sleep away camp exclusively for children and families affected by HAE. This first of its kind event was held at the Painted Turtle, located in the hills just north of Los Angeles County.

For families affected by Hereditary Angioedema (HAE), Camp Brady was more than a weekend away. It was an opportunity to disconnect from everyday life and truly connect with others who understand the unique challenges of living with HAE. Families were able to enjoy the fun of camp activities such as rope courses, boating, campfires, and of course … ice cream and cake!

They built lifelong friendships, gained valuable education, and created lasting memories together. Families left Camp Brady with stories of encouragement, hope, and belonging. This year, we asked a few families to share what Camp Brady meant to them.

We hope you enjoy their stories.

Here’s what Taylor had to say about her and her son Torran’s story:

Camp Brady was an experience my son and I will never forget. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed into a community that truly understood our journey with HAE.

Watching Torran connect with other children, especially as an autistic child, was incredibly meaningful. The sensory room, supportive volunteers like Sophie, and conversations with other parents provided comfort, knowledge, and encouragement that I will always cherish.

My favorite moments were the dance parties and parent group meetings, where Torran was able to come out of his shell and build connections.

As someone attending my very first HAE event, I was honestly nervous and unsure of what to expect. However, this experience exceeded every expectation I had. The resources, support, education, and sense of community gave me confidence, knowledge, and empowerment. Camp Brady has inspired me to become a stronger advocate, not only for myself, but even more importantly, for my son.

Here's what Jenna had to say about her family's experience at Camp Brady:

We weren’t sure what to expect going into our first Camp Brady weekend with the HAEA, but it quickly became one of the most meaningful experiences our family has ever shared. Being surrounded by other families living with hereditary angioedema (HAE) gave us an incredible sense of belonging that we had never experienced before. For the first time, our children were able to meet other kids who truly understood what it means to live with HAE, helping Luke feel less alone and more confident. As parents, it was comforting to connect with others who face the same challenges, celebrate the same victories, and understand the emotions that come with caring for a loved one with a rare disease.

Camp Brady reminded us that we are part of a compassionate, supportive community. The HAEA means so much more than an organization to us—it is a family that provides education, advocacy, hope, and lifelong connections. We left our first HAEA event feeling encouraged, empowered, and grateful, already looking forward to the next opportunity to reconnect with this amazing community.

Read about the impact Camp Brady had on Julie’s family:

Being at Camp Brady with other families impacted by HAE was an incredible experience. Being immersed in camp life and camp activities, while knowing everyone around us was also affected by HAE, allowed us to connect over experiences that we often can’t talk about in our daily lives.

One of my children has HAE and one does not. They both had an amazing experience at Camp Brady. We all felt cared for and valued in a way that does not exist outside of camp.

The space the staff made for parents and caregivers was healing in a way I did not realize that I needed. As a person who has lived with HAE for 38 years, I did not realize how my experiences fit into the web of experiences of other people with HAE. Listening to the stories of other parents and caregivers, some with HAE, made me realize in many ways I was very fortunate to have received my diagnosis at such a young age. My heart broke for families whose experiences were more difficult than mine. For my husband, whose knowledge of HAE has come from my family and our experiences, he was able to understand the nuances of the disease and how every case is different.

As parents, we loved watching our children make connections with other children, push themselves out of their comfort zones and try new things. The caregiver circle was so meaningful for me, and it felt really good to be surrounded by other families who knew what we were going through.

An Impact that Lasts

Camp Brady was created to give children living with HAE and their families the opportunity to experience the joy of a traditional overnight camp in a medically safe and supportive environment where every child could explore, create, and try new things with confidence. Looking back on this year's camp, we believe we achieved that goal.

Every family's HAE journey is unique, but Camp Brady brought those journeys together in one place. We watched children build new friendships, caregivers find encouragement through shared experiences, and families discover they were not alone. The connections formed during Camp Brady extended far beyond a single weekend, and we were honored to be part of those moments while helping create lasting memories and strengthen the HAEA community.

As we look to the future, we are excited to continue building on this tradition to ensure that Camp Brady remains a place where children and families can connect, grow, and create unforgettable memories for many years to come.

Are you interested in sharing your story? The HAEA Community Blog wants to hear from you! Get started here.