http://www.lighthousestudios.info/surfershealing054.html

They had surfers from California come in and do a surfing day for the kids with autism. Looks so great.

Friday New York State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg brought Surfers
Healing to the oceanfront on south shore of Long Island. Over 100 children
with autism braved the waves with caring and professional surfers from
California. It would be safe to say that everyone who attended the event at
some point said the phrase "what a perfect day". It was about 80*f and when
I arrived around 11:30am, the clouds were beginning to burn off.

It was great to see parents from New York, New Jersey and Conn. Thanks to
everyone involved in putting together such a special day.

I posted the first 2 pages of photographs. If you are in a photo and would
like the full file for printing- please email me the file numer (will start
with IMG) and I will email you the photo (keep in mind the files are big).

Information about Surfers Healing can be found here:
http://www.surfershealing.org.

thanks- Christine Heeren
NAA Long Island

http://www.lighthousestudios.info/surfershealing05.html

Moderators note:
The autism community is thankful that Christine takes the time and effort to
volunteer her professional services to raise awareness of autism on a National
level. I wish to also add a little background information about this event so my
fellow NSASA board member, Jim Mulvaney gets the recognition and kudos he
deserves.
Jim met Izzy and Danielle when he was living and working in California. Jim
asked Izzy to do a clinic on his rounds of Northeast Surf Camps for the
"advantaged" people on the East End." In 2003, we sponsored our first event at
Rockaway Beach. There were seven children. Among them Danny Mulvaney, Corey
Carter, Otto and Little Chrissy. The second year there were sixty or so and this
year well over a hundred. We are also thankful for the help and assistance of
Joseph Margiotta, Unsound Surf Shop, Zamboni's Deli, Sobol Distrtributors, and
ADHL - Autism Dad's Having Lunch (jimmulvaney@usa.net)
In closing, there has never been and probably will never be anyone who gives so
much of themselves for our children as the Weisenberg Family and his
associates...a special thank you to Josey of the Long Beach office!

Surfers Healing was founded by Israel and Danielle Paskowitz. Their son,
Isaiah, was diagnosed with autism at age three. Like many autistic children,
he often suffered from sensory overload-- simple sensations could overwhelm
him. The ocean was the one place where he seemed to find respite.

A former competitive surfer, Israel hit upon an idea--with Isaiah on the
front of his surfboard, and Izzy steering from the back, the two spent the
day surfing together. Surfing had a profound impact on Isaiah. Israel and
Danielle decided they wanted to share this unique therapy with other
autistic children. They began to host day camps at the beach where autistic
children and their families could be exposed to a completely new experience
of surfing. (from the Surfers Healing Website http://www.surfershealing.org)
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