By CMTA Youth Council members Joseph and Kaitlin
From October 23rd to 26th, 2025, the CMTA National Youth Council gathered in Buffalo, New York, for our annual fall retreat. This weekend was filled with planning, reflection, and plenty of memorable moments. We were excited to reconnect with everyone, meet our new members, and see what the next year would bring for the council.
The CMTA Youth Council is a volunteer group of youth ages 10 to 18 who live with CMT. The council helps shape programs, build community, and ensure that young voices are represented in CMTA’s work.
As a new member of the youth council, this weekend was such an incredible experience for me. Strengthening new connections and planning for the year ahead is so rewarding. I am very excited for the upcoming events and new people to help!
Kaitlin
This retreat was particularly meaningful because our group is experiencing a mix of hellos and goodbyes. We welcomed three new members, Kaitlin, Jose, and Jake, who brought fantastic ideas, humor, and a wealth of enthusiasm. At the same time, we had to say goodbye to some incredible long-time members: Toby, Sebastian, Amanda, and Hannah, who are all aging out of the Council. Although it was bittersweet, the weekend felt like a perfect celebration of everyone’s contributions and the start of something new.
Our time in Buffalo was packed with team-building and leadership sessions where we discussed what it means to grow, both as individuals and as a collective voice for young people living with CMT. We explored how to be the best versions of ourselves, support one another, and lead with empathy and strength.
Both mine and Kaitlin’s favorite part was the committee shuffle activity. Normally, we each stick to one committee: Special Projects, Social Media, or Engagement. However, this time, every committee swapped roles to try something different. It was a fun challenge to think in new ways and appreciate the effort that goes into every aspect of our work. We got to see how other committees brainstorm outreach ideas, craft posts, and keep CMTA’s youth community connected.
Outside of meetings, we got to experience Buffalo, which made the weekend even more special. We enjoyed a thrilling ride on the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls, getting completely soaked but laughing the entire time. We dined at the restaurant where the first buffalo wing was invented and visited the BFLO Store. We explored the city, checked out local shops, and found time to hang out together and just talk, something that’s easy to take for granted when most of our meetings happen online.
We also had the incredible opportunity to sit down with the CMTA’s Chairman of the Board, Gilles Bouchard, and CMTA’s CEO, Sue Bruhn, PhD, who both took the time to hear from us directly. Speaking with them reminded me that the work we do on the council truly matters; our voices as young people with CMT aren’t just being heard, they’re valued and acted upon.
We left Buffalo with new goals, fresh memories, and a renewed sense of purpose. I’m proud to be part of this team, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together in the year ahead!
Joseph
As the weekend came to an end, we felt grateful not just for the experiences but for the people we shared them with. The CMTA Youth Council isn’t all just meetings and projects; it’s also friendship, growth, and a shared drive to improve life with CMT for everyone.
Learn more by visiting CMTA’s Youth Programs.
