Sharing Care: Autism Surfs—Gatlin’s Story
Gatlin has autism, and like many with autism, doesn’t get to experience the same activities as other kids. Autism Surfs changed that. All summer long, this organization gives Gatlin and other kids the opportunity to have fun and be themselves.
Transcript
AYERS SWAFFORD: I think our family for autism service is so close, because we're all the same. Gatlin gets to be part of something
that he's left out of always. It's a free time, no judgement, no ridicule. Just be a kid, be happy, and surf.
Gatlin is my youngest, and he is autistic, traumatically brain injured, nonverbal, and has a [INAUDIBLE] hole
that goes through his spine. I have to make decisions for Gatlin and everything
that I do. Autism is one of the most gut-wrenching, kick in the teeth--
some days I do great, and some days I cry myself to sleep. But it's one of the most wonderful things in the world,
because what you see is what you get. He's just trapped in there somewhere, and we spend every day trying to figure out
how to get it out of him. Autism Surfs is absolutely a fantastic organization
made up of the sweetest people in the world. Rickey Weeks is a friend of mine. Rickey's child is Christopher.
He's non-verbal autistic also. And I knew that he surfed with Christopher, and I asked him if he could take Gatlin surfing.
So then I started showing him different autism surfing sites. I'd say, hey, look at this, look at this, look at this.
And he came in one day and he goes, you know what? I'm going to do it. It's my purpose. [MUSIC PLAYING]
Autism Surfs is actually an organization of guys in the community and families in the community with children that are on the spectrum.
Most of our volunteers have children of their own on the spectrum, and they just come out to help the children. It's a organization funded by a little bit of money
and a lot of heart, and we don't charge anyone to come. RICKEY WEEKS: This isn't really about a cure. This is about us, as families, understanding--
we're not out here alone. We're gonna make their days as-- you know-- as full as possible. AYERS SWAFFORD: Gatlin loves surfing.
He can't stay out of the water. It's a wonderful feeling for parents, because we finally feel like they belong somewhere. RICKEY WEEKS: When you see what it's
like for them to-- to stand up on the surfboard and when they catch their first wave and you're riding with them, um, y-- you see it in their faces.
When they turn around and you know they're ready to go again, you know you got something going on there. [MUSIC PLAYING]
AYERS SWAFFORD: Gatlin is a blessing to me. I wouldn't give him up for a million dollars. He knows that I love him, and I know that he loves me.
He is-- he's Gatlin. And he's perfect. [MUSIC PLAYING]
child development
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