Video: People with spinal injuries experience the joys of surfing

(YouTube/LifeRollsOn)


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SAN DIEGO — A charity in California is helping people who are paralyzed from the neck down have the opportunity to experience something they thought was impossible — the thrill of surfing in the ocean.

Life Rolls On founder Jesse Billauer was only 17 years old and on his way to becoming a professional surfer when he had an accident and fractured his neck, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. He lost his ability to walk and had limited use of his hands and arms.

But Billauer was determined to get back out in the water. He soon started the Life Rolls On foundation, a charity dedicated to "making the impossible possible" for people living with spinal cord injuries.

"LRO is an avenue to hope, independence, freedom, happiness, inspiration and teamwork," Billauer,34, told LifeRollsOn.org. "It is about bringing people together and changing lives one day, one program and one person at a time. Each of LRO's amazing programs offers the opportunity for the physically disabled to open their minds, help them forget about their challenges and to be thankful for the opportunity to still be alive."

This year, Life Rolls On held an annual event La Jolla Shores in San Diego with Life Rolls On’s signature program They Will Surf Again. Participants surfed on a board designed especially to keep them on and safe in the water.

“What that means is just get them on the waves and skateparks and just having that freedom and independence of having the wind and the water on their face and just getting out of their wheelchairs," Billauer told ThePostGame. "Whether it be surfing or skating, they're just doing new things — just a whole different sensation and just a beautiful feeling."

Check out the video to see the incredible work of Life Rolls On and how its volunteers help kids and adults with spinal injuries learn how to surf.

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Tracie Snowder

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