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Living life her way: Helen’s story
This World Cerebral Palsy Day, we’re celebrating Helen, a much-loved...
Marissa
For the past few months, a bright, sunny day on the last Saturday of the month means one thing for Marissa. A beach day or, more specifically, a chance to catch some waves.
Marissa has been taking part in the Disabled Surfers Association ‘Let’s Go Surfing’ days at Leighton Beach. These sessions, which cater to anyone wanting to have a go and include all classes of disabilities, aim to foster an interest in surfing while finding friendship and support.
Their mission is to put ‘Smiles on Dials’ and for Marissa, it’s certainly done that.
Marissa had never surfed before, and the sessions originally started as a goal with her Support Worker Danni to try something new. Initially she was a little unsure, but the water proved to be an undeniable pull.
The story continues...
During her sessions, Marissa lies on her tummy on a bright red surfboard as trained volunteers guide her onto the waves. “Men and women help me” she explains, and although she doesn’t quite remember their names, she remembers how they make her feel safe and supported every time.
The feeling of the ocean lifting her up has quickly become one of her favourite parts of the experience.
“I like going toward the waves and feeling them lift me up,” she says. She’s already caught waves all the way into shore and when asked how it feels, her eyes light up, “Good and safe, it feels like flying.”
How we helped
It isn’t just the surfing Marissa enjoys though, it’s the whole beach experience. The ocean brings her calm, excitement and freedom and she loves the relaxing feeling of being in water, which provides a perfect balm to a hot Perth day. “It’s great, fantastic! It’s nice and cool too on a hot day”
Every session ends with one of Marissa’s favourite traditions, a classic Australian sausage sizzle on the grassy banks overlooking the beach, with all the other participants, volunteers and families. Her go-to order is simple: a bread roll, onions and sausage, and controversially for those of us who are staunch ketchup and/or mustard supporters, she’s a BBQ sauce girl through and through.
For Marissa, these sessions are more than just being able to surf, it’s an opportunity to try something that was originally out of her comfort zone, in a fun friendly and safe environment, with people who are passionate about providing the best possible experience. And if you ask Marissa to sum up how she feels about it, it’s really quite straightforward:
“I love every bit of it”
A few words
“I like going toward the waves and feeling them lift me up, it feels like flying!”
- Marissa
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