Sometimes we happen to just stumble across an activity that turns out to be one of the greatest experiences, which is exactly what occurred in my case. My parents and I recently went to a Phillies game where we ran into a dad and his young adult son who had a spinal cord injury. We noticed their bumper sticker with the initials LRO, which the family explained is the Life Rolls On Foundation that offers adaptive skating, snowboarding, and surfing.

We checked out the website and learned there was a surfing event on June 15^th in Wildwood Crest, NJ. Since I have cerebral palsy and the surfing was for people with spinal cord injuries, I was not sure if I would be able to participate. Well, not only did I participate, but I had a blast!

The event was so much more than I expected. There were more than 400 volunteers, mainly physical therapists from Moss Rehab, and 50 adaptive surfers. Watching the surfers from the beach made me want to get in the water immediately, but it was a waiting game. When it was finally my turn, volunteers helped me into a wet suit, and then my team got me on the surfboard and into the water.

The butterflies kicked in as I was lifted out of a beach chair onto the adaptive surfboard, which had handles. Once in the water, I was surrounded by 25 volunteers who made sure I did not fall, but instead helped me to have the time of my life. I caught some giant waves that sent me flying through the water, and each time I heard my team shouting my name in encouragement.

My session lasted a half hour, but I could have easily gone back out there and rode the waves again. I have always wondered how others surf and catch huge waves as I’ve watched them on television shows. I thought there was no way I could ever do that until I got in the ocean in Wildwood Crest a few weeks ago.

I believe my surfing experience exemplified one of Neumann University’s core values of RISES, and that is the value of service. This appeared in the willingness of the 400 volunteers who spent their entire Sunday helping individuals like myself to experience an activity that does not happen too often due to challenges faced in daily life.

The aspect of Play – one of the themes central to the Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development – also comes to mind. Why? This experience enabled me,  along with other adaptive surfers, to put aside our physical limitations and allowed us to enjoy the freedom of being in the water. For all who read this post, I hope you walk away with this message: no matter your abilities, remember to catch a wave because life is too short!

Below: Video highlights from Lauren’s experience