“The Ocean is a Great Teacher.” The Ocean Healing Group makes a HUGE difference in the lives of these young people…

The organization — Ocean Healing Group — is the brainchild of Frank Bauer, an Aspen volunteer firefighter, longtime local and lifelong surfer.

In my last entry, I conveyed our excitement about an upcoming trip to Costa Rica with Ocean Healing Group (OHG), an organization dedicated to taking kids in wheelchairs on week-long adaptive surf adventures in Costa Rica.

Last week we travelled to Shaka Beach Retreat in Playa Hermosa, near Mal Pais and Santa Teresa on the southern Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica. It was one of the peak adventures of my life and I want to share it with you while I still have my vacation glow.

Ocean Healing Group is aptly named.

The ocean in Costa Rica was stunning to behold and the water a luxurious eighty degrees. Those of you who have followed Caring Bridge know how much the beach and ocean mean to me and mine. I am always looking for chances to get Spencer into the water, but it takes assistance to do it safely.

In Costa Rica, Spencer was in the water every day thanks to the unbelievable volunteers we had. Spencer caught some great waves, had a couple wipe-outs and one time tumbled long and deep, which was scary, but he relied on his prior knowledge of the ocean to relax and keep holding his breath. Plus, the OHG volunteers were right there.

The ocean is a great teacher. We had some strong, capricious currents and a couple of rip tides such that the volunteers had to double their efforts and work together, but they still got the kids safely in the water every day. It was fabulous.

Frank, one of the owners of the camp, also taught Ruby to surf! She hopped right up on the board and was standing triumphantly and happily within just a few waves. Christiaan was a role model extraordinaire with his total independence in the water and his travel savvy. The most beautiful sight on the beach by far: empty wheelchairs.

Healing came not only from being in Mother Ocean, it came from learning new skills and testing our mettle. Adventure is a growth play. Spencer learned to drive a quad runner (4-wheeled ATV) on the beach. Can you imagine his joy in independence at driving one by himself?

There is something about males and engines and horse power. As you can see from the photo insert, Spencer’s confidence and pleasure showed in the huge smile on his face whenever he was on the quad. He even gave me a ride!

We went zip lining in the jungle and this awesome group, led by the incomparable Larry, assured that everyone in a chair could go, even if it required being carried. At the sixth zip lining platform, Spencer and another teen were carried down to the bottom of the jungle floor to see the majestic view and waterfall.

Ruby jumped off a cliff ledge to swim in a gorgeous natural pool with the others; she too was pushing her limits (and mine). When we began our ascent back up to the zip lining platform, Spencer WALKED up almost two hundred uneven, mud-covered steps, thanks to Kevin, Adam, Daniel, Lindsay, Jon and others assisting in front and back to keep him safe in a way I could not have by myself. It was an amazing feat of determination and Spencer showed what he is made of.

Towards the end of the course, I looked up to see Spencer walking across a narrow metal footbridge high above the jungle floor! Spencer blew my mind.

Healing also came from the affection, respect and consideration shown to each and every person there. If speech was slow, people stopped to listen. If there was a need, people made sure it was met. If the trail was bumpy, people made it accessible.

When the van stopped, the volunteers acted like a record setting Daytona pit crew–speedily unloading wheelchairs, assembling wheels and cushions and making sure everyone was transferred so no kid was left to sit waiting. I was so impressed.

Finally, healing came from being with like-situated people. I overheard a priceless conversation between the little sisters of two adaptive surfers. They compared when their brothers were injured: what it was like to go to school, have everyone ask them questions, and how weird it seemed to have complete strangers know so much about their lives.

They agreed it was really nice to be with other people who understood. I was dazzled by everything these sweet, loving girls have gone through to end up so utterly perfect. I, too, was relieved and relaxed in being able to share and compare stories of challenge, fatigue, joy and triumph in a factual manner–no pity, just the way it is. It was transformational.

The group was comprised of adaptive surfers, their families and volunteers. If you combed the earth twice you would not be able to find a more stellar group of people.

The volunteers came from all walks of life–hotel manager, engineer, firefighter, law enforcement, physical therapist–and hailed from different parts of the country including California, Florida and Colorado.

These people spent their vacations in service to others–that is huge. All were there to provide the adaptive surfers and their families with a fantastic adventure. Each one was fun, interesting, and sincerely caring. I was touched to the bone and deeply grateful for their kind and loving attention to my children. I never felt we were an inconvenience or an imposition.

There was always someone there to help with the chair, joke around, play a game or take Ruby to the shore while I helped get Spencer ready to surf. We lived with these people for a wonderful week and made lifelong family and friends. Plus, this group allowed respite from caregiving for the families.

I was free to take my coffee down to the beach in the mornings to listen to the monkeys and poke through shells, safe in the knowledge that if my kids needed anything while I was gone this group would see to it. I had my own adventures which included long beach walks and getting stuck in thigh-high mud on some quads, and while unexpected, it was fun. I abandoned routine, structure and responsibility for a few days of simply being with and enjoying my kids and everyone else. It was living.

It was also deeply humbling for me to realize that this group could provide Spencer with alternatives and activities that I alone cannot. It occurred to me that I am shorting Spencer when I fail to ask for help from others who can make activities a possibility for him.

Being with this group was so empowering; I felt the collective whole could travel the world over and conquer any obstacle in our way. In fact, I have a dream to do just that.

Finally, at the risk of sounding corny and sentimental, this trip made me feel less alone in the world and with our circumstances; now I keep Jennifer, Renny, Christiaan, Frank, Larry, and the others in my heart like a superpower to give me strength, love and laughter. How lucky am I?

Pura Vida!

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Written by Celia A. Brewer who is the mother of Spencer Fox. Spencer was only thirteen years old when he crashed his snowboard, broke his neck and sustained a spinal cord injury at the C4-C5 level. In that split-second fall, Spencer became a quadriplegic–paralyzed, with no sensation below his chest, able to move only his left forearm and dependent on a ventilator to breathe.

Spencer’s initial prognosis was grim. Now, through valiant efforts in rehabilitation, Spencer has regained sensation and movement in almost every part of his body. He can stand on his own and take many unassisted steps. He can move or wiggle each of his fingers. Spencer has defied the medical prognosis and is reclaiming his life and independence. Celia has chronicled Spencer’s recovery and the family’s journey in the Caring Bridge here.

The Ocean Healing Group is a non-profit 501c3 foundation, dedicated to providing once in a lifetime, adaptive sports adventure to wheelchair bound youngsters and their parents. It’s our collective mission to expose kids to a wide variety of sports and activities, things they would never have the opportunity to experience otherwise… including but not limited to surfing, snorkeling, zip-line tours, fishing, quid riding, nature tours, and horseback riding.

Ocean Healing Group’s schedule for 2011 includes events, activities and other fun stuff all in an effort to Carve the “Dis” out of Disability. Their goals for this year include:

• To have 4 or more JAWS (Just Add Water Surfing) events, sending at least 12 families on a once in a lifetime trip to Costa Rica.
• Expanding our list of activities to possibly include fun stuff like horseback riding and ATV jungle tours.
• Expanding our program to include a wider range of disabilities such as Autism and TBI.
• Continue our development of sporting equipment and gear designed to assist injured athletes in their quest to accomplish their goals.
• Of course, in order to do this, we will need the continued and new support of you and all of the others who make what we do possible everyday. We feel so blessed to have the support we have and thank all of you for your kind donations which go directly to our adaptive programs. With your help, 2011 can bring an amazing adventure to many children and their primary caregivers, an adventure they deserve and need and an adventure they will never forget about.

Ocean Healing Group is looking for independent, motivated people to volunteer so if you have the time and the willingness to be a part of one of these programs, please send them your resume. The help of amazing volunteers truly makes their adaptive camps possible.

There are several ways you can get involved with Ocean Healing Group. Whether physically or financially, they will appreciate your support, honor your strength and welcome you to their family.

1. Guests: What we do is possible because of the strength and hope of the people we support. If you or someone you know can benefit from our Adaptive Programs, please send an email to our guest relations staff at guest@oceanhealinggroup.org
2. Volunteers: OHG is always looking for purpose driven people to assist in their Adaptive Programs as well as helping in marketing & outreach, media interests, grant and sponsorship support and merchandise design, if you want to be a part of their volunteer force, please send an email to volunteer@oceanhealinggroup.org
3. Sponsorship: With your gift, Oceans Healing Group will help families with a disabled child or adult have a chance to attend truly amazing Adaptive Sports programs and clinics around the world. The activities shown here are no longer reserved solely for the able bodied. We can now help people leave their wheel chair behind and explore the world through a new sense of adventure; to play in a world without limits. Your donation provides travel expenses, lodging & food but so much more than that, they provide rehabilitation of the soul, the knowledge that when they drive themselves to achieve, anything is possible. It is this mindset that is the core philosophy of Ocean Healing Group.

Donations can be made online through the Paypal donate button or by check to:

Ocean Healing Group

PO Box 4974

Aspen, Co. 81612

If you have any questions, please email them at sponsorship@oceanhealinggroup.org

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.