Surfer's Healing: Not Just Another Day At the Beach

Turbo and Izzy

http://www.surfershealing.org/

I went to a support group meeting back months ago where a representative from Surfer's Healing came to share about this unique opportunity for kids on the autism spectrum.  It sounded AMAZING!  So on Mother's Day this year at 4pm I sat at the ready in front of my computer to try and score two spots at this unique camp for children on the spectrum.  In a mere ten minutes all 215 spaces were filled!

Surfer's Healing was started 15 years ago by Izzy Paskowitz and his wife Danielle.  Izzy is a champion, professional surfer and father of a a child diagnosed with severe autism.  Izzy and Danielle started this non-profit organization after seeing the positive, calming affects that being in the water had on their son, Isiah.  What started out as small day camps in California has boomed into a national organization.  Did I mention this program is completely free of charge to the families! 

Our family was fortunate enough to attend the camp in Ocean City last week and it was truly amazing!  Two of our children surfed but there were activities for the entire family all day long.  It began by waiting in line to register.  I dread waiting in any line with Turbo as he has little patience and generally will hit or try to run away.  He also lets out these blood curdling screams when he gets excited and seeing the ocean for the first time definitely got him excited.  I knew it was going to be a special day when no one even seemed to noticed these behaviors that typically elicit scowls and nasty comments from strangers.  

Once we rounded the corner from the registration booth what I saw next took my breath away;  a sea of families living with autism. I can't explain to you what it feels like to be around people that "get it."  No one was judgmental or unkind. There were children painting, getting caricatures drawn, doing yoga, and suiting up to surf. Parents were hanging out on the beach getting to know one another and cheering the kids on.  It was an amazing sight!  

We had some time before the boys surf time to we set up camp and went to pick up the kid's gift bags and trade in our food tickets for some snacks. We played in the waves and watched the other children surf.  The kids who were surfing had a captive audience with family, random beach goers, and families there for the program.  We clapped and cheered for the kids as they rode the waves.  I am not an incredibly sentimental person but you literally could just feel the love and acceptance all around you.  That is the one beautiful thing about autism.  I have met and become friends with some of the most amazing people.  Folks I would have never met if my child didn't have autism because our lives are so vastly different.  That day on the beach I saw old friends and made some new ones as well.

Princess Flowers playing in the sand

Wild Krat and Merlin in the surf

Once child in particular stood out to me.  He was in line with the volunteers waiting his turn on the beach.  Once the surfer came and started leading him out to the beach he began having a meltdown.  Mom and dad were watching from the sidelines (they ask you to let the volunteers handle everything) looking incredibly worried.  The surfer got down eye level with the boy and spoke to him calmly while playing with him in the sand.  After a few minutes the surfer picked him up and put him over his shoulder.  The boy was still upset but as they walked out in to the ocean you could visibly see his entire body relax and a big smile cover his face.  As the boy rode his first wave in to the beach mom started crying.  It's an amazing thing to see your child do something extraordinary when most of the time all you hear about is what they cannot do.

Turbo with a Kung Fu grip on Daryl

As I read over what I have written so far I don't think I have adequately gotten across how amazing and desperately needed this day really was for our family.  Over the last five years all three of my boys have been diagnosed with different special needs.  I spend my waking hours: scheduling therapy appointments, attending IEP's,  speaking with lawyers, applying for grants, arguing with insurance companies, worrying about how to pay the therapy and lawyer bills, worrying what will happen to them if something happens to me.  My life has become and seems to revolve around special needs.  It's hard, really hard, but for one day a few weeks ago in August I was just a mom who didn't think about autism for a whole day.  I played in the water with my kids, built sand castles and played games.  I got to meet and speak with some amazing people.  And I cannot thank you enough, Surfer's Healing, for giving me that one, perfect day!  You are truly an amazing group of people! Until next year, Mahalo!

Why the name Speaking for Moses for this blog?

As a historical and religious figure, Moses is known as "The Law Giver," the scribe of the Five Books/Torah, a work hailed, by some as, a perfect work, making him the father of all prophets for having spoken with G-d (figuratively) "face to face."  When visiting the United States Supreme Court  you will see Moses in relief standing at the front of the line of other great historical law givers.

Yet, when you think about it, Moses was flawed.  He had a severe speech impediment.  One source says it was the result of an angel trying to save his life.  So, in a sense, his imperfection was actually from G-d.  Why would G-d do such a thing?

For a moment think about all the times you may have heard of a clergyman saying something like, "children are afflicted with autism because...(insert whatever foolish comment you like).  Obvious question--so, you know the thoughts of an infinite being? Whatever the reason for a challenge a child may have, it is certainly not intended as a punishment to the child.

In Moses' case, for those of you who accept, to whatever degree, sources outside the Old Testament, it was a result of an angel pushing Moses' hand to grab fiery coals instead of jewels when Pharoh tested the intentions of the young Moses.  As a result, he put his burnt fingers to his tongue in an attempt to relieve the pain.  Instead, he burnt his tongue.  From that moment on, he speech was flawed.

So, why was such a work as the Torah transmitted through a person of flawed speech whose best known trait is that of supreme humility?

After thinking about it for a long while, it seems to be this:  Before you think only an innately superior person can achieve greatness -- think again.  Worse yet, Moses at certain points, must rely on his brother Aaron, to communicate G-d's wishes.  In the end, his flaw does nothing to prevent him from achieving greatness.  In fact, he achieves greatness precisely because he is aware he is a flawed human being.

Moses takes all the excuses away.  You want to be great?  And you would be if only for (insert whatever excuse you care to insert here)?  No excuses.

Lesson:  Keep your eyes on the ones whom you have judged to be lesser creations, lesser beings.  It is they who shall rise to greatness.  This a recurring theme overlooked by most.

Don't believe me?  Here is one more fella for you.

There is this boy. He goes out in the fields to tend to animals, to sing and play a music, to get away from people so he can be spiritual (You know what I mean, man).  Sounds like the boy might be on the autism spectrum, you say?  He is so detached from his family his father forgets he even exists when a visitor to the home comes over wanting to meet all the children.

Got the picture?  Not a very good one, you may agree.

Well, this is one way of looking at David, son of Jesse, King, prophet, poet, musician, and worrier.

All special needs children have the potential for greatness.  They just need someone to speak for them  once in a while.

So, here we go.  We, together, are Speaking for Moses!

More to come...