This is our fourth summer surfing with Surfers Healing (surf therapy for autistic children). This time was extra special because we were all there together, all three of my autistic kids and my husband. Previous years Lane, my husband, couldn’t make it because he was working.. and my oldest aspie was at scout camp.
It was also extra special because we’ve developed a friendship with founders Izzy and Danielle Paskowitz, and many of the regular volunteers and greet us with hugs. This is truly an autism ohana.
Maui was first, happy to put on a dry wet suit😋. He went out with Izzy and they paddled way way out and caught some great waves. Maui told me later this helped him get over his fear of being on the open ocean. Izzy jumped off at the end, allowing Maui to surf on his own. He stood up and surfed by himself! Lane and I were so excited for him!
Thor surfed with Izzy too! When Izzy asked how many waves he wanted to catch, Thor said, “All of them!”
Mosiah surfed a bit later with Ben, he had so much joy on his face!
Finally Liam decided to surf. Liam is our ocean boy. The child born in the water, and our lowest functioning on the spectrum. Unfortunately, he’s also ultra picky and super skinny, so he has no insulation. He never lasts long in the ocean before he’s too cold. But he loves to surf, “small waves” he says. Izzy took him out, far far out. They waited for the perfect wave. Liam was quiet, just being in the moment. And then it came, “out of nowhere”, Izzy said. The perfect wave. Liam flew back to the shore with Izzy. Liam was done with one wave, but it was enough. It was another moment to add to his memories on the ocean, on the waves.
I love that Lane captured this moment between Liam and Jennifer, a volunteer, who has been with us since we started surfing. They are wonderful humans who love our kids. It’s a very cool thing.
Another perfect day has come and gone. Friendships, family, our wonderful autism ohana.
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