Disabled Surfing Association
07/Jan/2008
My husband Jeff and I Run the Disabled Surfing Association (DSA) in Port Macquarie. We have 3 boys, Aidan who was born with Hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain), Cerebral Palsy, Vision impairment, Frontal lobe brain damage and Intellectual disability. Kieran has Cystic Fibrosis and Corey who is healthy.
In 2001 the Disabled Surfing Assoc (DSA) did a “Little Ray of Sunshine tour along the North Coast and Port Macquarie was one of the destinations. Jeff and I decided to take our 3 boys. We all enjoyed the day and decided along with a few other locals to set one up, and so began the Disabled Surfing Association Port Macquarie (Hastings Branch) which has been running for the past 6 years.
Not only have we forged some great friendships we have also met some fantastic people. It has helped with Aidan and Kieran’s illnesses, Aidan who is now 14 loves to ride the surf board which has helped with his Cerebral Palsy in strengthening his muscles. Kieran age 10 has never had better health, we put this partly down to just being at the beach running around, swimming and breathing in all that fresh sea air. Corey our 6 year old just loves the beach too and has a great time.
The Disabled Surfing Association (DSA) has been established in Sydney for about the past 20 years and was set up by Gary Blaschke after he had a motor bike accident and lost his knee cap. As a result Garry identified a void that needed to be filled for those who either through birth or accident have a disability and wish to continue or learn to surf.
The DSA does not discriminate against any person of any age who has a disability. Membership consists of individuals with a range of disabilities from asthmatics, to joint injuries to paraplegia, hearing and vision impairment and intellectual disabilities as well as members without a disability who believe in what the DSA is all about. The important thing of all is that members have found friendship, support and have either renewed or found an interest in surfing.
The DSA is a totally voluntary organization, existing purely on the support of members and the local communities together with occasional government help.
There are currently 12 branches around Australia, for more information on the Disabled Surfing Association and the nearest one in your area either contact Head office, Garry Blashke, Sydney Branch on 029 759 0997 or have a look at the web site on www.disabledsurfers.org where you will find contacts for the other branches.
For all of you who take the plunge and decide to participate in one of the DSA Hands on days I hope you get as much enjoyment out of it as we do.
