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South Coast Branch

Gerroa Beach 03/04/2005

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Waving goodbye to disabilities

By GLENN ELLARD

There was no mistaking the amount of joy experienced by people taking part in the South Coast Disabled Surfers Association day at Gerroa.
The breadth of their smiles said it all.

gesurf4.JPG (109676 bytes) There was little Marusha Rowe, brought down from Sydney specially for the day, whose squeals of delight with each wave she caught resounded through the beach and among the estimated 80 participants.
The little girl with cerebral palsy was having her first try at riding a wave, and loved the results according to carers.

There was South African paraplegic Nick Taylor in Australia to play basketball with the Wollongong Rollerhawks, who found out about the surfing day and travelled to the beach for some "awesome fun" riding waves.
And then there was Kelly McCann, a young woman left in a similar situation for former Superman, the late Christopher Reeve, by a car accident when she was just three.
gesurf14.JPG (127397 bytes) Yet despite being a quadriplegic, needing assistance breathing and having a tracheotomy hole open to the water, she was not going to miss an opportunity to get into the water.
She said her time riding waves was "just incredible", with one of the main attractions "being free of the chair for a while".
As there were obviously risks involved with being among waves, Kelly admitted she was a bit scared the first time she went into the surf at a come and try day at Collaroy, "but once I did it I wasn't scared any more".
In fact she ventured down to Collaroy just to have a look at what was happening, but quickly decided, "I can do that."
That can-do attitude has inspired many people, leading SCDSA secretary Jim Bradley to describe Kelly as "an absolute champion".
But while Mr Bradley was singing Kelly's praises, and saying "what a humbling experience it is for us as helpers in whom she has placed such trust", Kelly showed she had a keen sense of fun.

gesurf16.JPG (144999 bytes) The 23-year-old giggled at suggestions of taking out two boards, and sending one back carrying nothing other than the hand pump used to help keep her breathing while she was out in the water - just to give the helpers a shock.

Helpers on the day were divided into several teams, each helping a range of people experience the thrill of surfing, with the biggest crew being assembled to assist Kelly in the water.

Poem by Kelly's nurse Marisa Smith - Click Here

Len - Front Cover -Link Magazine Lenny puts body and soul into surfing

Lenny Snowden smiles broadly as he declares himself a surfer.
"Absolutely I'm a surfer," he says with great enthusiasm.

There was a time when Lenny rarely went in the water, but life has changed dramatically in the past 15 years since Lenny lost nearly half his body in an industrial accident at Blue Scope Steel in 1992.

Now missing his right arm and leg, Lenny took to the water for the first time when the Disabled Surfers Association formed in 1993 - and has not looked back since.len.jpg (22053 bytes)

He said he was in the water on average once a month, and "I'm good at hanging five, but I'm no good at hanging 10," he laughed.

While he loves surfing tandem, Lenny's biggest joy comes from using his specially-designed body board top ride waves on his own.

It is done with a determination and zest for life that has seen Lenny described as an ambassador for disabled surfers around the world.

It is a role he takes seriously, spending much of his time training able-bodied people how to assist on Disabled Surfers Association days.

gesurf4.JPG (109676 bytes) By GLENN ELLARD

..
Squeals of joy, raucous laughter and smiles to melt the sternest heart were all the rage as people of all ages took to the waves at Gerroa Beach recently.


Sure, some of the people were missing limbs, or had bodies that did not work the way they should, but no-one was going to let that stop the sheer pleasure of being carried along by a wave.

Kelly McCann summed it up best when she said it was all about "freedom".
And freedom is an important attribute of life for 23-year-old Kelly, left a respiratory-affected quadriplegic by a car accident when she was just three.
But she has not let the fact she is constantly in a wheelchair controlled my her mouth, or has to be hooked up to a respirator attached through a tracheotomy opening to breathe, stop her enjoying life.

It was stirring, emotional stuff as Kelly was placed on a board and carried out by a team of helpers including nurse Marissa Smith who was keeping Kelly breathing with a bag.

Then the bag was disconnected as Kelly rode in on a wave with helper Sarah Ciantar also on the board, before the bagging was continued at the end of the wave.
gesurf6.JPG (128135 bytes)

Then there was another wave, then another and another.
If fact the initial plan for Kelly to ride three waves in her first session soon went by the wayside, as the beaming young woman extended her time to eight waves.

Then after lunch she was back for more in the surf day organised by the South Coast Disabled Surfers Association.

It was an effort that had SCDSA secretary Jim Bradley's chest swelling in admiration.
"She's inspirational because she tells the rest of us in society 'what are you whingeing about? Get on with life'," Mr Bradley said.

Taking part in the day were about 60 surfers volunteering to help people with disabilities take to the water, and feel the pleasure and sense of freedom that comes from riding waves.
"It's an honour for us to be invited into their lives," Mr Bradley said earnestly.
"We get and emotional fix out of helping.
"You can't ever say the abled people get more out of it, but by God it seems that way at times."

DSA days are held annually at various places including Gerroa, Thirroul and Collaroy, and later this year will be extending to Batemans Bay to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to try new experiences.
"This is all about surfers giving back some of our time and resources to ensure disabled people have a great day," Mr Bradley said.
gesurf3.JPG (127049 bytes)

"It's for a group of people who rarely get made the centre of attention."
And through its efforts the DSA was ensuring access and facilities were being improved at a number of beaches, ensuring people with disabilities were given the opportunities to get to beaches, feel waves lapping around their feet and sand between their toes - something many of us take for granted.

"COURAGEOUS AUSTRALIAN"

 

DSA South Coast Life Member

Len Snowdon to appear on Wollongong's

® and ®

Each year, locals are featured on the covers of the Yellow Pages® and White Pages® directories in recognition of the contributions they make to their communities. Under the theme Courageous Australians, this year directories producer, Sensis, is recognising courageous people who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to overcome adversity and help others in their time of need.

After receiving nominations from community members for the annual honour, Windang resident, Len Snowden has been selected to appear on the cover of this year’s Wollongong directory which is distributed to Kiama, Shellharbour, Wollongong and surrounding areas.

After losing his right arm, leg and hip in a workplace accident 17 years ago, Len’s ‘never say die’ attitude has made him an inspiration to fellow amputees and his local community.

As co-founder of the Support Amputee Family & Friends (SAFF) organisation, Len has designed a number of training courses to educate people about living with a disability. He is also a member of the Disabled Surfers Association of Australia and Sailability Illawarra, which teaches people how to participate in sport, regardless of what type of disabilities they have.

“I think it is important to instill hope in people after a traumatic accident. Support from friends, family and the community is an integral part of the healing process and SAFF helps educate people about this,” said Len.

Len regularly visits hospitals across the country, demonstrating how patients can use prosthetics in order to regain their independence and uses his journey as an example that you can have great quality of life after a traumatic injury.

Jane Blackley, White Pages® Group Manager, says we felt the Courageous Australians theme was particularly relevant with many parts of Australia having experienced testing times over the past couple of years.

“Australians are known for their compassion and willingness to put their hand up to help when it’s needed most. Whether helping to build better community relationships, showing strong leadership, inspiring others, or acting in a major crisis to protect the lives of others, we really wanted to demonstrate the diversity of what it means to be courageous.

“From the nominations received, we were amazed at the many people from all walks of life who have shown tremendous courage, either by risking their own life to save another, overcoming major challenges to inspire others or helping to ensure the wellbeing and safety of the community.

“We felt Len was a great example of what it means to be a courageous Australian and we are delighted to feature him on the cover of the Wollongong directory,” said Ms Blackley.

Distribution of Wollongong ® and ® is planned to start on 13 March 2010 and it will take approximately six weeks for the directories to be delivered to all households

Above extract from White Pages Community

Posted March, 2010

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