Surfers Healing and the definition of #oneperfectday
We spend a lot of time dragging Benjamin around our world. He lives here too, of course, but often the place seems to not have been designed with people like him in mind. It can be loud. Confusing. Not very understanding. The bigger Benjamin gets the more comfortable he is here, although ironically (and suckily), the bigger he gets the less comfortable everyone else seems to be with him.
Once in a while we are lucky enough to have the opportunity to spend time in his world. Our most favorite spot over there is a beach claimed by Surfers Healing, the organization that runs free surf camps for kids with autism. This place, full of sand and waves and families just like ours and endlessly generous, talented, not unattractive surfers, wasn’t just designed with my son in mind--it’s been perfectly constructed for him, too. In the famous hashtagged words of Surfers Healing, it really is #oneperfectday.
The main reason Moshe got involved with bringing Surfers Healing to our neck of the woods was so that Benjamin and his extra special peers could reap the therapeutic and pure fun benefits of surfing. The second ever Florida event took place a few days ago, and all I can say is mission accomplished.
It turns out the day is only partially about Benjamin. The rest of us really enjoy his world, too.
Zack loved volunteering.
He also loved riding back from the beach in the surfers’ van, where seatbelts may or may not have been fastened and the conversation was described cryptically by Zack with just one word: “Teenager.”
Moshe worked hard helping put it all together, so he was over-the-top busy the whole weekend, but he’s the kind of guy who is happiest when he’s busy, especially when those Sole hotel spicy margaritas are involved. (Special shout out to Sole on the Ocean for everything, including putting up and feeding mass amounts of surfers).
For me, all I can say is it’s impossible to overstate how relaxing and sweet and moving it is to be, for a few hours, surrounded by the various people Benjamin has brought into our lives—and lots of new people we may have just met but have so, so much in common with. To be, for once, in the majority.
So thanks to Surfers Healing founder/guru Izzy Paskowitz and his crew for their time and patience and overall awesomeness.
And, of course, to Benjamin, for inviting us in.
Photos: Shanon Leigh, www.saysomethingphotography.com (except for this subpar quality one of Benjamin on his board--that’s all me.)
