Mine's name is Tony Caramanico...he came to me in the midst of a panic attack in Amagansett on September 8, 2006, one year to the day that I received the letter. I am proud to say, he got me back up on the board and introduced me to a community of wonderful folks.
Tony is also an artist of great repute. His works recall Jean-Michel Basquiat and Peter Beard. Check them out here. If you're lucky enough to visit his studio in Montauk, consider yourself blessed.
Surfing is soothing to the soul in this way - you don't think about the past or the future, you think about the moment (the present)when you ride up on that wave. God is there. God is there. Thank you, Tony, for giving me myself back. Aloha - L.
3 comments:
Liz,
Speaking of surfing, whatever became of your plan to set up "surf camps" for survivors?
Mario
Hi, Mario! As a Californian, I am sure surfing figures into your life!
STARS, my Philanthropic Fund, will be arranging surf camps on both the East and West Coasts. It's a huge undertaking, as we'll be devoting time to healing survivors' hearts, bodies, minds. Besides surfing, we hope to feature talk therapy, yoga, art therapy and other forms of self-expression.
But at the end of the day, taking a person who is so frightened and debilitated from abuse and getting them on a board is an amazing thing. I know - that person was me! We already have volunteer instructors on both coasts but we need to run it properly and we need FUNDS - that's where spreading the work of STARS comes in!
Best, L
Liz,
Actually, I've never surfed a day in my life, I'm embarassed to day! :( The most I've done is what's called "body boarding", which simply means lying on the board, as opposed to standing on it! the board is not a surf board, but what's called a "boogie" board, which is made of foam rubber!
Anyway, I totally agree that physical activities that are challenging, but fun, such as surfing or yoga, can be very therapeutic in helping people to heal from emotional pain and scars by forcing them to concentrate and focus on something other than their pain!
Mario
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