I am deeply honored and profoundly grateful that AccesSurf has selected me as the Special AccesSurfer Participant of the Month. I would like to share a bit of my background. In my 75 years, I had never surfed before AccesSurf. I am an island boy from Puerto Rico, and Rincón, Puerto Rico is world-renowned among surfers. I have visited many times, yet I never tried surfing. I have lived in Hawaiʻi since 1992, shortly after Hurricane Iniki, and although I became PADI-certified as an Advanced Open Water Diver, surfing was something I never imagined myself doing.
I would also like to acknowledge my wife, Michelle, whose unwavering love and support have meant everything to me throughout this journey. Without her encouragement, I know I would not have even tried surfing. She has stood by me through the most difficult moments of my life, and I am truly blessed to have her by my side—she really is “Da best.”
I learned about AccesSurf through Melissa Crawford from Recreational Therapy during a very difficult period in my life, following the loss of my only son. Many caring individuals at the VA supported me during that time, but Melissa helped me see that there were additional therapeutic opportunities available. She introduced me to adaptive therapies, and when I heard the word “AccesSurf,” I knew I had to try it.
I served two tours in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and, like many others, I was wounded but blessed to return home. I am a paratrooper with many jumps from planes and helicopters, and I am PADI certified—yet I never thought surfing would be part of my journey. I can honestly say that surfing is one of the best things I have ever done in my life. It made me feel alive again. Although I am a disabled veteran, that will not stop me from continuing to participate in every opportunity available to surf with my ʻohana. With AccesSurf, I always feel welcomed, supported, and genuinely cared for. I will never forget my very first day in the water—five times out, and we caught all five waves. What an unforgettable memory.
I have attached a photograph that means a great deal to me. It is of my son Joey and me at a Cardinals game at Cardinals Stadium—the best road trip of my life.
May God continue to bless your mission and allow your program to grow, as you do so much for us veterans.
