Surfers For Autism a Transformative Event

I awoke with excitement and anticipation and organized myself to head out to Tybee Island for the 3rd Annual Coastal Surfers for Autism event this past Saturday. This is our biggest and favorite charitable event we participate in every year. By the time my feet hit the warm sand there were some 20 tents set up and several hundred people gathered. There was a wonderful breeze and the surf was definitely up! Finally after some introductions and a prayer the surfing began.

Miracles Happen

Family and friends stood at waters edge as they watched the kids go apprehensively out on surfboards with their supportive team. Then miracles began to unfold before us. As each surfboard loaded with a belly down child clinging to the sides returned on a wave, there were huge smiles and giggles of tickled pleasure. Soon we began to see the children begin to stand on their board and catch a wave. At each successful wave surfed, teams, family members and the young surfers would jump and throw their arms in the air in jubilation. The transformation from uncertainty to confidence and success was mesmerizing. One of the family members Joe Costello said it best with a post on his Facebook:

"Thank you for the smile on my son Sean's face! Thank you to the professionals from SFA, Tybee Police, Tybee Fire, Tybee Ocean Rescue, volunteers, and businesses who made this a wonderful event. I watched another boy cry hysterically on his first set, the next wave he popped up and rode it in to the beach to the cheers of all. It is overwhelming all that you did this past Saturday for so many. This was our first event, but it will not be our last."

Fun Under The Tents

Although surfing was the main event there was much bonding and fun being had in the sand under the tents. The loving, warm, friendly energy was palpable. There was an atmosphere of non-judgment and ease in connecting with others. Everyone was partaking in fun activities out of the water, and bonding with new found friends. The energy of the day spread to everyone.

"David Costrini: I'm not exaggerating when I say that I went to this event, and that it was one of the most amazing and powerful things I've ever seen. The kids, families, and volunteers were just over the top incredible and inspiring."

I was told this would be a life changing event, and it was. I am already thinking about next year, as I am sure the children are too. Maybe we will see you out there next year?

Watch a WTOC News channel video on this event.

Some Just For Fun Home Items

I spend about an hour every morning scouring the internet for interesting and informative media on Real Estate as research for writing on my Blog.  Today instead of writing an article I would like to share a few paragraphs and links to some interesting sites with articles I have come across.

From Housingwire.com:

Home Staging Professionals Find New Business in Changing Market

In a recent study conducted by the trade association, 89 vacant occupied and un-staged homes were listed. These homes spent an average of 166 days on the market. However, when these exact same homes were professionally staged and relisted, they only spent an average of 32 days on the market — a 73% decrease in time spent on the market.

From Realtor.com:

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Selling Soon?

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi may be parting ways with their Thousand Oaks ranch in the very near future. The Los Angeles Times reports that the celebrity couple’s Hidden Valley retreat is currently showing a status of “looking for backup,” which (for those of you who are not Realtors) generally means a bid has been accepted but the seller is still fielding other offers.

 From The New York Times:

Looking For Homes In The French Alps

The continuing popularity of lakefront property, especially for overseas buyers fleeing unstable economies, has helped the town of Annecy weather the financial crisis better than most areas. This 2003 chalet, built of concrete and siding construction, is on the desirable east side of Lake Annecy in the community of Veyrier du Lac. It is on the sunnier and more-desirable east side of Lake Annecy. See more photos here.

In Case You Want to Buy

Here is a description of the property and FYI there are no restrictions on foreigners in France. Agents charge a fee of about 5 percent, paid by the seller. All transactions must go through a notary public, who oversees the contract and closing, handles negotiations, and collects all transaction taxes and fees owed to the government.

3rd Annual Coastal Empire Surfers for Autism Beach Festival

Tybee Island will be transformed into a beach bash on September 7^th for a very special group of kids. The beach by the pavilion will be filled with families, volunteers and children, special needs children who have a chance to feel the sweet taste of success, fun and self-confidence by learning how to surf. Surfers for Autism, a non-profit organization, will be hosting the event from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The therapeutic benefits of the surfing activity to children and young adults within the autism spectrum cannot be put into words and must be experienced.

At a Surfers for Autism event, the surfers are provided a safe, fun, judgment free environment where highly skilled surf instructors carefully guide the children into waves. Each child is accompanied with two or three volunteers and a "master" surfer who take the kids into the water one at a time. Each child is in the water for 25 minutes, then a new session is started with another child. The sessions continue rotating until 4:00 pm.

This is a very special day where children with developmental delays interact with typical peers and

wow families with their capabilities. The result is always the same: complete and total transformation in a moment. Transformative moments are not the exclusive province of the surfers, as parents also undergo a shift in thinking. Goals and milestones once missed or forgotten suddenly come into sharp focus. For many of the families, it’s a day they never thought they would experience.  Many times autistic children are sensitive to auditory stimulation, but here they can just enjoy being a kid.

A Few Testimonials From Past Events

Amy Spalter Schwartz: “I am awestruck at what a difference you all have made in my son’s life, but not just Spenser’s life, but our whole family. When he is out there surfing, he is a completely different child. This is the ONLY extracurricular activity he has had ANY interest in sticking with.” 

Caryn Jones Hamblen: Words cannot express our gratitude for today. What an amazing event! Dylan said it best, “This is the best day, ever!"

Kara Collins: I will never forget the joy I saw on my daughter’s face that day, the pride she felt that she was enough- just the way she was. She made friends and no one cared who spun in circles or said something inappropriate, they just welcomed you for who you were. Now we own Boogie boards and sun shirts and count down the days until the next event, when she isn’t a girl with Asperser’s- she is just a girl who is 7 catching a wave.

Surfers With Hearts as Big as Their Ambition

Surfers for Autism was founded in Deerfield Beach Fla in December of 2007 with a handful of local surfers. There was a local surf club in Florida. One of the members' brothers was touched with autism, so they got together to take some kids with autism and related special abilities surfing, and the rest is history. Although the SFA has events internationally most of the coordination for an event is on the local community level. While surfing with special athletes is certainly the centerpiece, events have morphed into massive beach parties replete with concerts, catered cuisine, gaming tents and much more.

This Saturday at Tybee Island there will be an activities tent and other resources available. Musician Cody Blake will be performing on the beach, his big brother is one of the participating surfers. In addition Lunch and water for the families will be provided plus the opportunity to enjoy time with other families just like their own. 

The Don Callahan Real Estate Group will be there volunteering this Saturday. Tybee's Surfers for Autism beach festival has an open invitation to anyone.

Photos from Surfers for Autism.