DIFFERENCE MAKER: Operation Beachhead
from WCBSAM: On-Demand
SA: On the beach in Spring Lake former Marine Michael Ricci is on a mission MR: We attack the waves, take control and establish a Beachhead SA: Through his non-profit Operation Beachhead Ricci helps people with disabilities hit the waves. There are wheelchairs with fat inflatable tires for the sand and surfboards with handles MR: They'll catch a wave because they'll get pushed into it and then some of them just need one person on the back to hold them SA: What's that like for them, what do you see in their face? MR: Oh they come in they're smiling like crazy SA: Ricci who is 79 discovered adaptive sports after the Vietnam War. He still has shrapnel in his leg. MR: I'm always in excruciating pain so the more I do things I'm distracting from the pain. SA: For Greg Mandler balance is difficult but when he's lying down on a surfboard GM: It's like freedom. I just feel so free SA: 15-year old Charlotte New surfs standing up on a prosthetic leg CN: It felt really natural because everyone was showing me how to do it and teaching me SA: Stephanie Cardenas lost a leg at age 7 SC: I didn't grow up doing too much adaptive stuff but now that I'm older I've kind of learned the importance of it and how important it is to have a community and meet other people kind of going through the same thing SA: People hug and thank Michael Ricci. He says he's the one who's grateful MR: You're giving me a gift and that's what it is. I see the joy on their faces SA: In Spring Lake, Sean Adams WCBS 880 News
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