Surfers with Spinal Injuries Surf Again

WILDWOOD CREST — On Sat., June 19, young people with spinal cord injuries got a chance to ride surfboards here as Life Rolls On presented “They Will Surf Again.”
Chad DeSatnick, who sustained a spinal injury while surfing off Cape May, is a local organizer for Life Rolls On, a division of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. He said he was fortunate not to suffer permanent paralysis.
Participants ranged from folks who recovered like DeSatnick to those who are full quadriplegics. Life Rolls On provides activities for those individuals such as surfing, skiing and skateboarding.
Volunteers assised at the event include physical, occupational and rehabilitation therapists who are very familiar how to transport the surfers from their wheelchair onto the surfboards, said DeSatnick.
“They form a chain that goes out into the ocean, so if the person on the board falls off, although they are wearing a life jacket, there are volunteers right there to help them right themselves,” he said.
Surfers spent 30 minutes in a relatively calm ocean under sunny skies.
Kenya Wright, 20, of Elizabeth N.J. surfed for the first time in her life. She wore a grin on her face the entire time. Wright called the experience “wonderful.”
Grace Rogers, 13, of Wildwood Crest surfed last year and was awaiting her turn with happy anticipation.
Melissa Finkel of Middle Town called the experience “awesome.”