Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Proof the pain is worth it sometimes.

Not sure if you know but I am a trainer with the surf club, I train a number of courses including Bronze Medallion (qualified surf lifesavers/lifeguards)
It usually means long hours standing whilst teaching the theory, followed by many more long hours standing in soft sand and then being battered by waves for 8 weekends in a row. All of which equals lots of pain and a number of days of recovery after each training session.

So I have been training my 3rd Bronze squad for the season. (The season started in September). So far the participants have only had 1 weekend of training. We have condensed this course down to half the usual time and to make sure they get the sufficient practice we have invited them to attend the nipper(juniors) training days.
Today we had Board training and one of my squad members was there to improve his skills. In the middle of training he noticed a young boy on a body board being swept out to sea. He promptly paddled out and rescued the screaming boy and safely paddled him back to shore and to his very relieved father.
Because of the training 1 lucky little boy will still get to enjoy Christmas with his family.

I was so proud of my student and just proves to me that yes sometimes the pain of pushing myself to delivery this training voluntarily really is worth it.

Just had to share.

Trish Chalk another one up - phew. Read yr post with bated breath. Well done all that training - in spite of the pain. And kudos to the rescuer One serious scene neatly turned. You are a star gal. Pat on the back - gently...

Thanks Molly.
It is amazing how this sort of thing can really give me the pick me up I need, especially when you're in pain and that terrible fear of worthlessness starts to set in.
Just what I needed. Funny that the universe does provide.

Trish,

That is a great story...the world is full of miracles, we just have to look for them. You should be really proud of the work you do!!!

That shows that your hard work and pain is well worth it. Good on you!

I'm always incredibly impressed with the training and skills of surf lifesavers, so stories like that just really reinforce how important the work you do is.

Yes, very definitely worth it (though I do wish you could do it without so much pain).

You go girl! You never cease to amaze me with all that you do. I love to marvel in the fact that there is still life to be had in the face of adversity. Great story to share! Thank's!

Big hugs to you and the others who train kids to do a variety of things. Kids flourish with the caring and love from multitudes of non-parent adults who are a part of their lives for a period of time. (old book title-->it takes a village). You have an awesome position to influence them and train them to do a much-needed skill. Kudos to your student and to you as a trainer. And hugs for doing it even when you are dealing with pain. Yea aussiegirl!!!

WOW Congrats and congrats to your student.

Great job to your student and a big pat on the back for you too!