The Surfing Association of Trinidad and Tobago(SATT) and the Caribbean Kids and Families Therapy Organisation(CKFTO), both non-profit organizations, provided a Surf Experience for Special Needs Kids and their siblings on the 5th of September at Las Cuevas Beach. The aim of this therapeutic experience is to empower the special needs children in a safe, fun and challenging activity while nurturing their relationship with their siblings and parents.
CKFTO’s mission is to provide professional and empathetic therapeutic services to all Caribbean children ages birth to twenty-one with special needs; to provide support and empowerment to families of children with special needs and to educate and involve the community ofTrinidad and Tobago in creating an open and caring society for all persons with special needs.
The Surfing Association is proud to have been involved in this experience and all of our certified instructors and several surfing and non-surfing members assisted in making this a truly 'special' day for all concerned.
We feel proud to be a part of something that is greater than the association, it's intitiatives, and the sum of it's parts. This event will surely become annual event, and perhaps a more frequent event. Everyone who made it possible, sponsors, volunteers, family, friends, and surfers alike do not need a pat on the back because they can be comforted by the overwhelming joy expressed on the faces of every child present on this special day.
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE NON-MEMBERS WHO VOLUNTEERED AND THE SPONSORS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE SMILES.....REPUBLIC BANK, BLUE WATERS, SOLO, BRYDENS, BUDGET MARINE, SCOTIABANK, FLAVORITE, HOLIDAY FOODS, BRYDEN PI, TRIDIUM, CANTREX AND A COUPLE PRIVATE CONTRIBUTORS.
"THANKS TO ALL THE SURFERS AND HELPERS WHO GAVE OF THEMSELVES TO MAKE THIS A TRULY SPECIAL DAY FOR THESE KIDS AND THEIR PARENTS......MANY OF THESE FAMILIES ENDURE HARDSHIPS WE CANT IMAGINE AND THE BLISS I WITNESSED ON THEIR FACES AND IN THE SHOUTS AND SCREAMS OF PURE JOY WILL REMAIN WITH ME FOREVER.....WE COULDNT GET THE KIDS OUT OF THE WATER ONCE WE STARTED AND ONE CHILD DIDNT TOUCH WATER FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS BEFORE YESTERDAY...IT TOOK HIM AN HOUR TO REACH THEWATERS EDGE AND AFTER THAT HE WAS SPLASHING AND ROLLING IN THE SURF......" Warren Rostant
Check out all of Nic Marsans great photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicpic2009/sets/72157622144430861/
As expected, RedBull was well represented with their Pinzi Vehicle making its way up and down the beach. The surfer voluntere's got to have a little fun of their own. Check out the video by Ravin Ramkissoon..
1 comment:
I too want to express my gratitude. Each and everyone one of our children, their siblings and parents have such wonderful memories from that day. The surfing association did a wonderful job of putting on a safe and fun filled event. All of the surf instructors were kind and patient with our kids. Thank you for all of the smiles, the events of our Saturday with SATT will not be forgotten.
Sara Stephens,
Clinical Director, CKFTO
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