Wise Beyond Her Years

By: Michelle Wagar, Nash, Oklahoma

For many people, summer camp provides a time to make memories and new friends. Saibra Journey, an Oklahoma State University biochemistry and molecular biology senior, spent her time at camp watching her little brother enjoy new life experiences and have great adventures.

Journey’s 19-year-old brother, Damon Journey, was diagnosed with Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy and high functioning autism at age 6.

Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy is a hereditary genetic disorder, which causes the progressive degrading and loss of functional smooth and skeletal muscle, Journey said.

“When I decided to go to school at OSU, we decided it would be best if we all moved to Stillwater from Oklahoma City,” Journey said.

Living with her family allowed the 23-year-old to attend college and keep the cost of living down while being able to care for her family when needed, Journey said.

Taking care of her brother often fell on Journey because her mom was a single parent, Journey said.

“I never saw taking care of my brother as a chore or felt like I was going out of my way to do things for him,” Journey said. “I know in my heart it is what I am here for.” Although Journey always said she planned to care for her brother, she realized that she was meant to do even more when she attended Muscular Dystrophy Association summer camp with him.

“Working as a counselor at MDA camp inspired me to open my eyes and know how to help people better with different types of muscular dystrophy,” Journey said. “It helps me to understand Damon better.

The summer camp modifies activities to provide inclusion for its campers ages 7 to 17, Journey said. This allows campers to participate in activities such as swimming, archery and softball, Journey said.

Saibra (right) and Damon Journey have a close relationship and love to make each other laugh.

Photo by Michelle Wagar.

According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, thousands of children across the U.S. attend MDA summer camp every year at no cost to them because of generous donations.

“Saibra inspired me,” said John Gustafson, an OSU biochemistry and molecular biology department head. “In fact, I was hoping to attend one of these summer camps because it seems like something that is really worth participating in.”

Gustafson said Journey is an “enthusiastic and energetic fountain of positivity.” He said her passion for helping other people, specifically her experiences with taking care of her brother and the struggles he has experienced, laid out her future in a way that will lead her into the healthcare field.

“I want to do everything in my power to make kids’ lives better,” Journey said. “I just know I am meant to work with kids.”

Leah Felter, Journey’s mother, said Journey has a compssionate heart and offers the world more than she lets people see. Journey plans to provide resources for parents with children with disorders and anomalies, Felter said. She wants her facility to be a place where families can receive the help, guidance and support they need, Felter added.

After graduating in May 2019, Journey plans to travel with her brother for two years before attending medical school to eventually conduct research on the genetics of neuromuscular disorders, Journey said.

“I have the rest of my life to put myself first,” she said. “This is his time.”

Although Journey is a member of the Biochemistry Club and Omega Phi Alpha National Service Sorority, Felter said her daughter chose to forgo some life experiences to help her family.

“Medical school will always be there for me, but the time I have with my brother is unknown,” Journey said. “I want to give him the opportunity to live life to the fullest.”

Journey never lets her brother’s wheelchair use be an excuse to avoid new places or activities, Felter said.

“She brought her brother into the martial arts course I am in, and he was thrilled to watch us practice martial arts,” Gustafson said. “That was a really wonderful experience.”

Journey has a genuine care and concern for everyone, Felter said.

“Saibra is definitely one of those individuals I hope students from this department are inspired to become or to watch and follow in her footsteps,” Gustafson said. “Her experiences make her wise beyond her years.

“It would put humanity in a better light if people would take the time to help people the way she does,” Gustafson said.