My name's Brett, but around here they call me daddy or dada. If you read Sara's blog you already know a little bit about our family. What I wanted to write about today is the Surfers Healing camp that comes to our town every summer. Gavin has been twice, and loved it both times. The first summer he was a 2 year old, and it was a stormy, wind whipped beach that day. There was a tropical storm a few miles offshore. The sea was angry, my friends. Gavin showed no fear. He didn't even melt down when we put the yellow life vest on him! Izzy, the camp's founder, paddled with him out into the foaming atlantic. They bobbed up and down on the surf board for awhile as Izzy talked to Gavin, sharing a private conversation off shore, away from a world that doesn't understand. And then came the surf. It was incredible! Wave after wave they rode, Gavin giggling and signing "more, more!" You can see in the video just how violent the surf was that day. Izzy is literally a pro. He's a great surfer, and you can tell his whole heart is in that moment with that child. At that point, I came to realize what Surfers Healing was all about. It is about finding inner peace and enjoying life, even when your world is filled with frustrating confusion. Surfing takes these kids out of their comfort zone (a terrifying concept if you have autism) and sets them sailing in the wind and water. It's amazing to watch these children surf. It's a day of relief for parents who are at the end of their rope. We've been at the end of our rope a few times, but Gavin's sweet smile and deep brown eyes bring us back. Sara and I love what Gavin has given us. He's made us realize what's important in life - having fun and taking chances! Gavin doesn't know he has autism. He doesn't care that people stare. He just keeps on dancing to his own little beat.