Comment: The healing power of waves

Thursday 14 June 2018

With summer around the corner, many will be dreaming of hitting the beach and making a splash in the sea to cool down - but for some, it's not always that easy.

Melissa Alves says she has always dreamed of sun, sea and surf, but there's always been one thing in the way - accessibility difficulties.

However, not one to give up on her goals, the Express columnist, who has competed in marathons and succeeded in sporting competitions, was pleasantly surprised to find a solution - and grasped that opportunity wholeheartedly. She explains how one charity recently made her day with the healing power of waves...

"I have always been obsessed with the ocean, beach and everything it has to offer. I would always see people surfing and think to myself, ‘What it would be like to do something like that?’ Little did I know that one day it would be me on a surfboard having such a fun time.

Pictured: The adapted surfboard that Melissa used in her first ever surfing experience.

Ever since I heard about Healing Waves and the amazing work they do, I was over the moon. Finally, I could see the possibility of accessing the islands beaches in a different and fun way. I then found out that they would be getting a wheelchair-adapted surf board that would enable wheelchair users like me to surf!

I initially thought that it wasn’t possible to get a board that could be adapted for wheelchair users, but I was happy to learn I was wrong. I got in touch with the team to arrange a meeting, and before even meeting them, I knew they were my kind of people – people willing to help and offer a service that brightens the day of those that wouldn’t normally get an opportunity like this, people that don’t let anyone’s limitations get in the way of anything.

After meeting Max and Seán of the Healing Waves team and filling out all my forms to become one of their athletes, a couple of weeks later after the board was on island and all set up we arranged a date to go surfing. I was sent an email with all the volunteers information and who I would be with on the day.

Pictured: A beach-accessible wheelchair in motion.

…and then the day arrived!

As a full-time wheelchair user, it was easier for me to get changed into my wetsuit at home, although you can also get changed on the beach. The Healing Waves team were so understanding and allowed me to do this, which made things easier for me.

Before going on the beach, I transferred from my day chair into a beach-accessible chair, which goes directly onto the sand and in the water. After meeting my volunteers, we all went down onto the beach and there was the board waiting! We had a chance to talk and ask questions before transferring onto the board and going into the sea. Getting onto the board was very simple, using a sling which made transferring a comfortable process.

Pictured: Melissa can't wait to make a splash again after her "amazing" experience.

Then the moment came – it was time to catch some waves!

Before sitting on the board, I expected the chair to be upright, but it was slightly inclined back, which made the experience so much better, with waves crashing in front of me as I went through and over them. 

But while I loved the surfing itself, a lot of that enjoyment came from the fabulous team of volunteers I was with - Seán, Shelley, Sophie, André and Renny – who were all so friendly and understanding of my needs. The Healing Waves team ensure everyone is treated the same, and the words ‘disability’ or ‘disabled’ were never the words used on the day by them. They treat everyone as if we are all the same, which to me is so amazing!

Pictured: Melissa and her volunteer team.

I had the best morning and haven’t stopped speaking about it to everyone since. My favourite thing to now say is that something I never thought possible has come true… I went surfing! 

Thank you Healing Waves for showing that anything really is possible."

The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and not of Bailiwick Express. Read more on Melissa's blog.