Thursday, August 21, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
THANK YOU LONG BEACH
THIS IS A LETTER TO THE EDITOR WE SUBMITTED TO THE LONG BEACH HERALD THIS WEEKEND. I'LL LET YOU KNOW IF IT RUNS:
As a co-founder of Surf Pals, a local volunteer group dedicated to assisting "Kids With Autism Surfing," I want to thank everyone who helped make our event Monday July 28 such a success.
Coming on the heels of one of the most difficult beach weekends in memory, it was quite poignant to see more than 50 children enjoy the placid face of the the ocean and the healing power it contains.
Autism is a medical tsunami affecting more than one in 150 kids, making it larger than pediatric cancer, AIDS and diabetes COMBINED. It is a neurological based disorder that makes communication difficult. The Long Beach community has become a leader in assisting children and families faced with this condition.
The residents of this barrier beach not only have "Long Beach Sand in Our Shoes" we've also got "Long Beach Love in Our Hearts" and it was on display for our kids. Long Beach has become a community renowned for charity and community spirit; we see it on display for Polar Bears, Michelle O'Neill, Sean Ryan, SJK and too many more events to mention. There is no community on Long Island that is more giving, not just with checkbooks but also through personal involvement.
Beyond the chores provided by Surf Pals volunteers, their mere presence is invaluable. Our kids with autism feel locked away and as much as they enjoy the ocean, the biggest thrill may be the opportunity to perform for cheering spectators. Kids with autism don't hear much encouragement; on this day it was round after round of "Curtain Calls" and "Standing O-s" for every ride down the face of a wave. These "disabled" kids were quite proud to have the opportunity to display their abilities.
Along with the co-founders of Surf Pals, Harvey Weisenberg, Elliot Zuckerman and Jack Mulvaney, I'd like to thank the whole community especially singling out those who got personally involved including Charley Theofan, Joe Brand, Jack Radin, Mike Tangney, Mary Giambalvo, the folks from the Recreation and Auxiliary Police and Sanitation departments, Monarch Beverages, Dunes Deli, MacKoul Insurance, Maria Aramanda, The Inn, Pilates for Every Body, Assemblyman Weisenberg's staff and the city's premier surf schools Surf2Live and ZooYork.
A special mention of gratitude goes to the Long Beach life guards who had just gotten through one of the toughest weekend's in their history. The men and women of this service not only preformed heroically in the face of danger during the ferocious weekend rip currents but they were also handled our children with a sense of dignity, respect and humanity. It is not easy to develop the muscles needed to be a Long Beach lifeguard; I would argue that the level of kindness they presented to our kids that day is requires even greater strength.
My son, Dan Mulvaney has autism and has lost nearly all of his speech. He is a well known smiling face around town and sometimes asks me to be his voice. In this case, as one of the first Surf Pals to hit the beach back in 2002, Dan wants to relay his thanks and looks forward to seeing you at the next Surf Pals event Sept 2 in Long Beach.
Jim Mulvaney
Long Beach
As a co-founder of Surf Pals, a local volunteer group dedicated to assisting "Kids With Autism Surfing," I want to thank everyone who helped make our event Monday July 28 such a success.
Coming on the heels of one of the most difficult beach weekends in memory, it was quite poignant to see more than 50 children enjoy the placid face of the the ocean and the healing power it contains.
Autism is a medical tsunami affecting more than one in 150 kids, making it larger than pediatric cancer, AIDS and diabetes COMBINED. It is a neurological based disorder that makes communication difficult. The Long Beach community has become a leader in assisting children and families faced with this condition.
The residents of this barrier beach not only have "Long Beach Sand in Our Shoes" we've also got "Long Beach Love in Our Hearts" and it was on display for our kids. Long Beach has become a community renowned for charity and community spirit; we see it on display for Polar Bears, Michelle O'Neill, Sean Ryan, SJK and too many more events to mention. There is no community on Long Island that is more giving, not just with checkbooks but also through personal involvement.
Beyond the chores provided by Surf Pals volunteers, their mere presence is invaluable. Our kids with autism feel locked away and as much as they enjoy the ocean, the biggest thrill may be the opportunity to perform for cheering spectators. Kids with autism don't hear much encouragement; on this day it was round after round of "Curtain Calls" and "Standing O-s" for every ride down the face of a wave. These "disabled" kids were quite proud to have the opportunity to display their abilities.
Along with the co-founders of Surf Pals, Harvey Weisenberg, Elliot Zuckerman and Jack Mulvaney, I'd like to thank the whole community especially singling out those who got personally involved including Charley Theofan, Joe Brand, Jack Radin, Mike Tangney, Mary Giambalvo, the folks from the Recreation and Auxiliary Police and Sanitation departments, Monarch Beverages, Dunes Deli, MacKoul Insurance, Maria Aramanda, The Inn, Pilates for Every Body, Assemblyman Weisenberg's staff and the city's premier surf schools Surf2Live and ZooYork.
A special mention of gratitude goes to the Long Beach life guards who had just gotten through one of the toughest weekend's in their history. The men and women of this service not only preformed heroically in the face of danger during the ferocious weekend rip currents but they were also handled our children with a sense of dignity, respect and humanity. It is not easy to develop the muscles needed to be a Long Beach lifeguard; I would argue that the level of kindness they presented to our kids that day is requires even greater strength.
My son, Dan Mulvaney has autism and has lost nearly all of his speech. He is a well known smiling face around town and sometimes asks me to be his voice. In this case, as one of the first Surf Pals to hit the beach back in 2002, Dan wants to relay his thanks and looks forward to seeing you at the next Surf Pals event Sept 2 in Long Beach.
Jim Mulvaney
Long Beach
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