I first heard of Surfer's Camp a few years ago. Maybe around the time that Riley received her diagnosis.
Heh.
"Received her diagnosis." Like it was an award or something. I am not certain I know of anyone who'd actually pick a spectrum diagnosis, even though I don't know of any that would trade the child they have for anything.
I wouldn't. As aggravated as I get on some days, I still wouldn't. And those of you that have been reading here for a while know exactly how stressful this summer has been - and how I've been one to always, always be honest.
Even to those people who tell me, "I don't think that there's anything wrong with her. Maybe it's just you."
Before her diagnosis, the beach was where we realized that something was wrong with Riley. Sand was torture for her. The ocean was a molten pit of fire and lava that burnt her. Every trip to the beach was quick and very, very painful. The few that we took ended with tears for all of us, frustration and irritation from the older crowd and puzzlement from the younger. Who doesn't like the beach, we wondered?
For crying out loud, we LIVE at the beach.
People who are on the spectrum, that's who. Some of them, anyway - especially those who are already on sensory overload before you add in surf, sand and birds. And lots of people.
A former competitive surfer, Israel hit upon an idea--with Isaiah on the front of his surfboard, and Izzy steering from the back, the two spent the day surfing together. Surfing had a profound impact on Isaiah. Israel and Danielle decided they wanted to share this unique therapy with other autistic children. They began to host day camps at the beach where autistic children and their families could be exposed to a completely new experience of surfing.
When I woke her, and reminded her that the Surfer's Camp was today, she wanted nothing to do with it. "I don't like the sand. I don't want to surf!" she told me. Despite that, we went. I have learned not to listen to her.
She had a 9:30 appointment and when we arrived, there were a lot of people already in position. She doesn't do well with a crowd, and I felt her grab my hand a bit more firmly. We checked in and were directed to the life vest area. Once appropriately garbed, we watched.
And before she could really think about it any more - the man in charge arrived to take her away.
Watching someone walk away with your child, the one who you think looks SO BIG until you see her carried away - it's like watching your heart leave your body.
I have to hand it to the men and women of the Surfer's Healing Camp - they come from all over, some as far as Hawaii and California, and they do it for the kids. I saw many situations today that would ordinarily be cause for stares, for whispers, for judgement and condemnation. I saw children who were further along on the spectrum than my daughter, children overwhemlmed and crying, on sensory overload and in some cases, close to shutting down.You know the situations I reference. You've seen them. Maybe you've been a part of them.
There was no judgement. There were no whispers. There was no condemnation, no Did you see that kid? nudge nudge of a spouse - just quiet, peaceful acceptance and an overwhelming willingess to be there, to be of help and to see every child succeed.
Any child that was hesitant was handled with grace, with kindness and understanding and they all got on the boards. It was almost a non event. Sometimes it took two or three people working together to get that board moving in the right direction, but at no time was any child rushed.
They got on the boards and they paddled out.
Every child goes on a board with an escort.
They waited for the waves. Waves aren't very big in Virginia Beach, so sometimes, you take what you can get.
When the wave came, they started towards shore. This is when I said, "Oh, man - she's too little to be on a surf board! That thing is HUGE!"
And they rode those waves in. The escort stood in most of the cases, and often he or she reached forward and, using the strap on the back of the vest - LIFTED those kids to their feet.
Helping them succeed.
And then they took them out again.
She loved it, but after the third time, she was done. She wanted out of there.
I don't know that I can ever explain how much this event moved me. I teared up again and again, watching these kids race the waves. Inspiring, uplifting and overwhelming - words will never be enough, but these come close.
Riley loved it. She loved surfing, she wants to learn how to surf and she wants to go again next year.
And she wants to do it as a grown up - to help other kids like her, she says.
Thank you, Surfer's Healing Camp. You have created a lifelong fan in this proud Mama.
What a great day, and a great organization.
Posted by: kimberly/tippytoes | August 20, 2011 at 10:46 PM
Oh, this brought tears to my eyes. How amazingly wonderful!
Posted by: Karianna | August 20, 2011 at 10:52 PM
Oh, Carmen. What a lovely day.
Posted by: KatieButler | August 20, 2011 at 10:58 PM
I'm teary-eyed, too! My spectrum kid hates the beach and brings his LEGOs while the rest of us frolic. This gives me hope.
Posted by: Ali | August 20, 2011 at 11:03 PM
I am crying too. What an AWESOME organization! I wonder if they do events here in CA? Hmmmm....
Posted by: Headless Mom | August 20, 2011 at 11:23 PM
Beautiful. Just beautiful.
Posted by: Sharilyn | August 20, 2011 at 11:48 PM
Riley, you DID IT!!! Ladies and gentlemen, we have ourselves a miracle!
Posted by: Liz in Seattle | August 21, 2011 at 12:20 AM
OMG that makes me want to cry! How fantastic is that?! Way to go Riley! And way to go Carmen for bringing her there!
Posted by: As Cape Cod Turns | August 21, 2011 at 08:07 AM
that's just awesome. it literally just brought tears to my eyes envisioning what it must've been like for her to be so frightened and unsure of the beach to wanting to go back and learn to surf. what a huge milestone to overcome!
Posted by: Sandra | August 21, 2011 at 09:42 AM
WOW - this is amazing. I want to go to surfer's camp! And I love that all of them got on the boards.
Posted by: Janine | August 21, 2011 at 09:49 AM
I'm so glad Riley had a good time. The rhythm and sound of the water can be very soothing. My mom actually wrote a story for the paper about the camp a year or two ago.
Funny anecdote about VB not having big waves -- my best friend grew up there too but her parents were not into the beach at all, so she almost never went. We took her there when she was 11, and the waves were about 2 feet high and every time one came in she'd shriek "here comes a BIG one!"
Posted by: Megan | August 21, 2011 at 10:47 AM
To Headless Mom....YES the Surfer's Healing camps are held up and down the CA coast...Izzie is from CA and he started the camps there a few years ago.
My granddaughter is on the spectrum and has attended the camp in Va Bch for the last 6 years and my husband is a sponsor. Maybe someone saw the board my husband commissioned for the camp...pink board with Hayley's picture on it!!!! This board goes wherever the camp goes on the east coast. I tear up every year just watching the parents and the volunteers with the joy on their faces! Carmen, thanks for posting, so that I could find your blog!!
Posted by: Sherry Ewan | August 21, 2011 at 11:32 AM
I'm all teary. How wonderful for Riley!
Posted by: Vicky | August 21, 2011 at 11:40 AM
Well hello, sister from another mother! Just found your blog via fb/Surfers Healing and am thrilled. Yesterday was Aly's first opportunity to hang ten and it was a complete success. I'm stoked that Riley got to go too. I've never been a place where Aly (12 years old and moderate to severe) was so universally and unconditionally accepted. I had my blubbering moment to share with other parents but today am feeling the soreness in my cheeks (both sets) from the perma-grin and the hike through the deep, soft sand....apparently I need to work out my hamstrings and glutes a little more. Like you, I am a "lifelong fan" and will encourage every parent with a kid on the spectrum to participate and parents that don't have a child with autism to throw their donation dollars to this very deserving organization. Bravo Zulu to Surfers Healing!!!!
Posted by: Keri Peko | August 21, 2011 at 12:03 PM
Wow! What an awesome experience for both of you. So excited for Riley, and so happy for you.
Posted by: Laura H | August 21, 2011 at 12:25 PM
I've got goosebumps reading this. What an awesome thing for Riley! You go girl! (And gentle hugs for the proud Mama!)
Posted by: Trudy | August 21, 2011 at 01:47 PM
How wonderful, Carmen.
Posted by: Mary @ A Simple Twist of Faith | August 21, 2011 at 02:48 PM
Congratulations, I'm so happy things went well. I'm very glad someone had the presence of mind to take pix.
Posted by: Pat | August 21, 2011 at 05:28 PM
that was sweet and wonderful.
Posted by: Lisa | August 21, 2011 at 08:12 PM
A little history about Surfer's Healing: Surfers Healing was founded by Israel and Danielle Paskowitz.Their son, Isaiah, was diagnosed with autism at age three. Like many autistic children, he often suffered from sensory overload-- simple sensations could overwhelm him. The ocean was the one place where he seemed to find respite.
Posted by: wholesale jerseys | August 21, 2011 at 10:11 PM
I'm stoked that Riley got to go too. I've never been a place where Aly years old and moderate to was so universally and unconditionally accepted...good blog..keep it up
Posted by: web developer perth | August 22, 2011 at 05:08 AM
Wow - that is so very cool. Riley must feel fantastic! So happy for you and for her!
Posted by: bama Cheryl | August 22, 2011 at 09:20 AM
Tears of joy Carmen. Congratulations!!
Posted by: addy | August 22, 2011 at 10:33 AM
I'm so glad your daughter had a wonderful and stupendous day! This was my son's 2nd year with Surfers healing in VA Beach, and it was a total blast! I'm amazed at his growth this year (not just physical, but social awareness, etc). It's an amazing thing, huh?
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful girl having a beautiful experience!
Posted by: Icanhasautism.blogspot.com | August 22, 2011 at 11:27 AM
So Awesome for Riley!! Makes me cry. I can sooooo relate to the beach incident. I took, no forced Madison into the water at 5. She screamed bloody murder for 15 minutes. I kept expecting the cops to tap me on the shoulder and take me away. But I knew I had to get her to understand the water was ok. Of course then she wouldn't let me get out for an hour!! I saw where this camp was at Tybee not to long ago. Will DEF keep an eye out for it next year!!
Posted by: Carly | August 22, 2011 at 12:34 PM