Surfers Healing
by Lisa Carlesco

Surfers Healing is free surf camp for children with autism. It was founded by Israel (Izzy) 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.

This extraordinary group of guys came to Montauk once again on Sept 18th and pulled off  another successful Surf Camp for so many of our children.  It is the day of summer that I look forward to more then any other as the experience of seeing these children with differing abilities actually standing on surf boards and riding a wave... the look on their faces cannot be described.  But more than that, the families that gather and support each other and cheer each other on and the community that shows up and stands on their  beaches with pride.

Various organizations came in and provide breakfast and lunch as well as raffle prizes, face painting and the extra helping hand with families having more kids than eyes to watch them all.  I witnessed once again a community that I am proud to belong to that came together and made just a little bit more of a difference in the world.

Lisa Carlesco
LICOP Program Director

www.surfershealing.org   •   www.licop.org