Today I got the chance to spend the day at the beach instead of sitting at my desk. But really it wasn't just a day at the beach, it was so much more. This is the third year I have volunteered at Wrightsville Beach with an amazing organization called Surfers Healing. Today more than most days I'm feeling extremely lucky for the life that I've been given and the constant reminders of how easy most of our days are despite our simple complaints.
There are lots of reports that show the healing power of water for children with autism just google - autism and water therapy. Pretty amazing stuff. However, it's a different kind of therapy for those of us who have life so easy compared to the families of these children. I have the utmost respect and admiration for some of the daily struggles that these families go through every day.
Although I was just a volunteer today helping the kids put on life jackets before the surfers took them out into the water, I took away so much more than just that. I learned that every person, no matter what their physical or mental ability, deserves to be given the time and chance to try something that will make them smile and for so many kids (along with their families) that is what Surfers Healing brings them.
This event is truly amazing! The only moment I felt sad today was watching one boy have an outbreak of emotions when we couldn't get to his turn fast enough. The boy was told his time was at 11:30 and at 11:32 he gave up and walked away. Because he didn't get to go right at his time he just couldn't focus on having the opportunity to do what all the kids around him were able to. It truly broke my heart that I couldn't get him to take his focus away from the time and think about getting in the water. His mother then told me that they same thing happened last year as well. I wish I had written the families name down so we could ensure that next year he'll get to go at the right time. I just wish I could have helped him, but it's impossible to understand the thought processes of another human being.
The surfers that make the event what it is truly have a gift. They take each individual child into the water and work with their individual capabilities. To watch them sit out in the surf waiting for the perfect wave and get almost every one of those kids to stand up on the board is an amazing site.
I'm truly blown away when I get to take a day away from my desk to do things like this. I learned some valuable lessons.
Check out this video: VIDEO: Surfer's Healing at Wrightsville Beach | WWAY NewsChannel 3
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