Grommet Island Opening

Last year I did some work for a man named Bruce Thompson.  His son is suffering from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).  For the past three years, he has spear headed a fundraiser in VA Beach to raise money for ALS in hopes of one day finding a cure.  He is a remarkable man.
In the second year, I was asked to lead the fundraiser and event called JT Walk and Beach Party.  This year, we were trying to raise money to build the world's first beach playground completely accessible to people in wheelchairs, raise a certain amount of money to donate to ALS Foundation, and stem cell research.  It was quite an undertaking.
In the end, we raised over $2 million, and broke ground for the playground called "Grommet Island."

this is a statue of Josh and his brother, Chris.  It's called "Anticipation."  Josh (the bigger boy) is teaching Chris what to look for as Chris is about to try to surf for the first time (called a "Grommet").  In his eyes is excitement and anticipation, waiting for Josh to finish his teaching, and for the chance to get into the water.
It's symbolic for the way people in wheelchairs feel, especially the children.  They wait anxiously for someone to help them, for someone to break a barrier for them.  They wait for something like Grommet Island Beach Playground to free of them.

   

Today was the Grand Opening for Grommet Island.  It was a special day for all involved.  Many things once thought impossible are now a reality for this special group of people because a bunch of people got together, and decided that something needed to be changed.  It's like Cinderella and the Fairy God Mother sing in Rogers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella," "Impossible things are happening everyday."
The ceremony was great.  At the end, the park was opened.  But what made it special was that the first 45 minutes of its opening was reserved solely for those in wheelchairs and their families.  It was a special experience to see some of these children and their excitement; to see a father in a wheelchair being able to go down a slide with their child for the first time.  I admit, I got a little emotional when I saw a little girl in a yellow wheelchair who was just beaming and squeeling with excitement at her new-found freedom.



What an amazing experience.  These people who have been dealt this trial in their own lives make my trial seem so small.  I mean, cancer is big, don't get me wrong.  But mine will not take my life.  In fact, it will only take a short time from me.  These people have their trials for the rest of their lives.  They will never know some of the things I have been able to do, and will still be able to do.  It's not in their future.  My future is still unpredictable and limitless.  For that I am grateful.

Now, I do have to warn you who are reading this that have cancer and are going through chemotherapy.  You are much more susceptible to sun burns because of the chemo.  WEAR SUNSCREEN!  WEAR SUNGGLASSES!  WEAR A HAT!  COVER YOURSELF!  THE SUN HURTS NOW!