In the film Pay It Forward, based on Catherine Ryan Hyde’s novel of the same name, the hero tests the concept of repaying a good turn not by rewarding the benefactor but by paying the “debt” forward to a third person. The good deeds he chose were designed to help the other person accomplish something otherwise out of reach. Multiplied throughout society, the practice of paying it forward could have the potential to transform the world into a better place to live.
There are many evidences in our community that this concept of paying it forward may be alive and well in Cape May County. Witness the abundance of charitable events and efforts of many types that support so many diverse causes. While all who spearhead these efforts do not necessarily identify their motives as paying forward, Chad De Satnick’s involvement with Life Rolls On, a division of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, is clearly an example of this concept.
Ten years ago, Chad sustained a spinal cord injury while surfing, and faced the possibility of never walking again. But he was one of the lucky ones; he regained his mobility. In gratitude for his good fortune, he researched various charities that specialize in raising spinal cord injury awareness. Because of his avid interest in surfing, he was drawn to Life Rolls On, which sponsors events such as They Will Surf Again.
Picture this — An empty stage, with the Atlantic Ocean in the background and Wildwood Crest beach in the foreground. As if on cue, the players (including more than 180 volunteers) start to fill the sandy stage, setting up tents that will house wetsuits and other surfing equipment, food for the surfers and volunteers, and shelter from the sun for those waiting to brave the surf on adaptive equipment. You can feel the positive energy of people working together to help individuals with spinal cord injury participate in this local sport. How exhilarating it must be for these surfers to feel the community coming together to encourage their abilities rather than concentrate on their disabilities!
And then, when nearly 40 adaptive surfers have had their turn and are processing happy memories for home, the morning scene is reversed. Quietly and efficiently the tents are dismantled, equipment repacked, good-byes exchanged and the sandy stage cleared almost without a trace of the wonderful event that has played there…Magnificent!
Unfortunately we will all have to wait until 2012 to witness this happening again in our area. The event just described — They Will Surf Again — has already visited the Jersey Cape for 2011, the only stop in New Jersey on a 10-city national tour. But on Sat., Sept. 24, there will be an opportunity to support LRO and their important programs including They Will Surf Again. The sixth annual Life Rolls On East Coast Charity Golf Tournament will be held at the Cape May National Golf Club on that day
Special guest at this year’s tournament will be Jesse Billauer, who is the Founder and Director of National Outreach for LRO. Since 2006, through the volunteer efforts of Chad DeSatnick and many in the Cape May community, this tournament has raised more than $140,000. There are many ways to support this event: as a sponsor and/or golfer, by attending the tournament dinner or by making a one-time tax-deductible donation, for example. Registration for the tournament will close on Sun., Sept. 18. For more information email Chad at chad@liferollson.org.
DID YOU KNOW??
• On Fri., Aug. 26, there will be an American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation of the East Lynne Theater Company’s production of The World of Dorothy Parker. The theatrical ASL interpreter is Kathy Filippo, who has interpreted ELTC productions for over 15 years
• A free Education and Support for Caregivers program will be offered at Cape Regional Medical Center on Sept. 22, 27, 29, Oct. 4 and 6, from 1 to 3 pm. This five-part course for family caregivers was developed by the Rosalynn Carter Institute at Georgia Southwestern State University. To register, contact Bonnie Kratzer at 609-463-4043
Pierson is the Coordinator of the Cape May County Office of Disability Services
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
