Surfers Healing with surfing
By Lindsey Conklin
Approximately 150 families participated in Surfers Healing on Folly Beach. The program connects autistic children with professional surfers in a way that has to be experienced to truly appreciate.
Peering over my balcony I noticed a large group of people on the beach, all looking in the same direction toward surfers and what appeared to be a surf competition. I noticed people scurrying around the water like seagulls looking for small fish, clapping their hands and taking dozens of pictures. The ocean breeze carried laughter and cheering up to me, which ultimately led my curiosity down to the crowd. T-Shirts, signs, and tents all covered in the words “Surfer’s Healing: A Foundation for Autism” painted the beach. I dove in with the proud parents and united with the audience to watch the festivities which brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face. As the waves rolled in and the surfers and children emerged, I heard one woman say, “It’s 95 degrees out and I have goose bumps.”
That’s an amazing testimony.
Surfer’s Healing, a foundation for Autism, is a nonprofit organization which offers complimentary surf day camps for Autistic children. More than 150 children and their families attended this year’s event at the pier on Folly Beach this past Tuesday, August 11. Surfer’s Healing was founded by Israel and Danielle Paskowitz of Hawaii after seeing how their son Isaiah, who was diagnosed with autism at age three, reacted when Israel took him surfing.
This is the second year that Surfers Healing has come to Folly Beach. That first event was attended by Mike Ezelle, who was moved so deeply that he organized a race in 2009 which raised $5000 to help bring the event back this second year. Of course, he didn’t miss the opportunity to volunteer again this year. The Paskowitz’s and Surfers Healing will continue traveling along the East Coast, offering more day camps and providing more special memories for autistic children.
The program’s success is evident in the smiles and laughter of the children who showed bravery and excitement in their surfing adventure. The day could not have been more perfect: warm sunshine, kind people, and the help of local volunteers. Folly is a compassionate, family oriented island, always ready to lend a hand. The recent Surfers Healing event helped prove an important lesson: that you can heal with the heart.
For more information on Surfer’s Healing, visit www.surfershealing.org
