Izzy and B, Surfers Healing Virginia Beach 2014
Two weeks ago, B got to surf again.
I speak to the high heavens about Surfers Healing but I can’t help it. It’s an amazing organization that does fabulous camps for children with special needs. Professional surfers take time out of competitions and travel around the country working with kids of all kinds of challenges and struggles.
You have the local organizations that pair up with Surfers Healing to handle the logistics, food, marketing. All volunteers that put their heart and soul into making kids that wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to experience catching a wave.
And yet, they all do it willingly and with a smile.
Oh wait, you DON’T know about Surfers Healing?
Well you have to read my past posts:
#OnePerfectDay – Surfers Healing 2013
Surfers Healing Part II: 100% Pure Adrenaline!
And then of course check out this video:
It’s also a testament to how wonderful Surfers Healing is, judging how their camps (FREE by the way) fill up within mere minutes. This year, B’s camp in Virginia Beach made the first move and made it a 2-day event. It STILL filled up in less than an hour.
B surfed on Day 1, early in the AM. Unlike years past, the sun shone brilliantly that day. Unfortunately, the waves were not quite as rocking.
B’s surfer this year was Kamu, who was patient and really took a shine to him.
Hang ten my good man!
Even when the fin broke on the surfboard, B was “working” with Kamu to fix it. 🙂
Supervisor B
Kamu then had to calm B down after he unexpectedly tried to surf on his own, tumbling forward over the board. B, needless to say, did not like that. At all. It took some time to get him settled. He went out a few more times but after that we stayed on the beach.
B and Kamu Davis, Surfers Healing Virginia Beach 2014
BUT he enjoyed himself, and that experience helped him at the beach when he had his own boogie-board.
He told me that he doesn’t want to do it next year, on account of “all the somersaulting” (his quote). So we’ll wait and see. I explained that it happens in the summer so he doesn’t need to worry about it for another year!
On the other hand, I want him to continue but he is getting old enough to express his wants and wishes. I have to expect AND respect that.
One LoCo Mommy 
A friend with two boys on the spectrum has one that HATES the experience and the other who loves it. She brings one and not the other because if she attempts both, her one who hates it tries to convince the one who loves it he will be eaten by a shark or something similar. She respects that one wants to do it but the other one, well, is better off at home with dad reading or with friends. You are so right, if our kids are able to express themselves (verbally or otherwise) we should totally respect those wishes!
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Yep. He liked it but then he didn’t like it. Part of it is that he quickly expresses frustration and gives up – something we try to overcome. On the other hand, if he can articulate WHY he doesn’t like it – we have to do what HE says. After all, there are so many other interests out there (like Minecraft)!
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Kamu was my niece’s surfer today or at Folly Beach, SC’s Surfer’s Healing. He was wonderful. She was having a mini meltdown over wearing the lifejacket, but she took right to him. He was a natural with the kids & the families. Surfer’s Healing is an amazing group of people!
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