My name is Katheryne Hebert and I have Usher Syndrome type 1B. I was born deaf and implanted at 2 years old. At 8, I was diagnosed with Usher syndrome. When I found out about Usher syndrome it was overwhelming and I was scared, unsure of my future, and convinced I was alone in what I was facing. But one day I got invited to go to USHthis Camp 2026 as a mentor. We went to California for the week where all the mentors and campers had Usher syndrome. At first, I thought I wouldn’t fit in but I couldn't have been more wrong. For the first time, I felt a real connection with people who understood my journey. USHthis Camp holds a special place in my heart. The people I met there, the stories we shared, and the sense of belonging I finally felt created a bond I never experienced at any other camp. It became a community where I felt seen, understood, and deeply connected.