Special children sail into the heart of the river

Sailing program becomes therapy for some

By Christina Lent  

The Beaverton Valley Times, Nov 15, 2007 (1 Reader comment)

Jonathan House / Times Newspapers

Logan Scharosch, 5, sets the captain’s wheel of a 27-foot sailboat spinning under the watchful eye of his father John and Heart of Sailing founder George Saidah.

Logan Scharosch didn’t hesitate when given the chance to captain a 27-foot sailboat.

The 5-year-old birthday boy stepped right up and grasped the weekender’s wheel, sending the vessel first left, then right and left again.

As the boat sailed out of the Tomahawk Bay Marina to the open waters of the Columbia River, George Saidah leaned over and asked the ship’s new captain, “Where will you take us today?”

Logan, who has Down’s Syndrome, is one of several young people who fell in love with sailing Saturday after being given the chance to wear a captain’s cap, hoist the main sail and pilot one of two vessels with the Heart of Sailing Foundation.

The Heart of Sailing is a non-profit organization dedicated to introducing sailing and the nautical world to children with developmental disabilities as a form of recreational therapy.

“Most of these children will never have the opportunity to drive or control a vehicle,” said Saidah, founder and executive director of the Heart of Sailing. “We give them a chance to let go of their parent’s hand and let them be kids.

“We expose them to a fun, new activity and allow them to take responsibility because they can. They are given control of the boat and have fun making everybody yell (as they whip the craft back and forth and sometimes in circles).”

‘A wonderful time’

The foundation teamed up with Project P.A.C.E (Parent and Child Enrichment), a Beaverton organization that specializes in working with children with autism spectrum disorders, as well as Down Syndrome Network Oregon, Rose City Yacht Club and Island Sailing Club to provide families with a unique opportunity on the water.

During the outing, parents are along for the ride as their children take the wheel.

“This day-sail program has been a powerful and positive experience for the families we work with,” said Eric Hamblen, co-founder of Project P.A.C.E. “The water is a natural draw for children with autism.

“The excursion allows children and their families to share a novel experience together.”

The chance to enjoy an outing on the river meant a great deal to the Zyweck family of Tigard.

Marcus Zyweck, an 8-year-old third-grader with autism, wasn’t quite ready to return to the dock after his turn as captain.

“He did not want to go back into the harbor,” said his mother Ana Zyweck. “He was laughing and enjoying himself. He refused to take the boat in because he was having so much fun.”

Marcus was not alone.

His older brother Alex, 10, took time during the voyage to sit on the bow of the boat and dangle his feet in the water.

“I also liked invading the other ship,” Alex joked. “I wanted to pull up to the other one and crash into it.”

“The boys earned a reputation early on as pirates,” their mother added.

For Ana Zyweck and her husband, Christian, the day on the river was filled with warm memories.

“It was very pleasant and peaceful,” Christian Zyweck said. “It was nice to be able to spend time together.”

Those words were music to Saidah’s ears.

“Taking these families out is very rewarding for me,” he said.

There have been times that Saidah has watched a child with autism laugh for the first time, prompting his mother into tears.

“She had never heard his laughter before,” he recalled.

He also receives e-mails from families talking about the impact the sailing trip had on their loved one’s life.

“One mother, whose son is nonverbal, said her son was all excited about getting a medal and certificate,” Saidah said. “He went to bed that night and when he woke up in the morning he said, ‘Boat, sail today.’ That’s pretty neat.”

Saidah and volunteers Bob and Mary Laird, who donated the use of their 42-foot Nova sailboat, took time at the end of the day to praise the young sailors and pose for pictures.

Before 19-year-old David McGinnis, who has autism, left with his sister Donilee, he made sure to hug Saidah and the Lairds.

“Thank you,” the Westview High School junior told those gathered on the dock. “It was great.”

“He’s going to have so much fun going back to school and telling everybody about this day,” said Donilee McGinnis, as her brother waved goodbye to his new sailing buddies. “We’ve both had a wonderful time.”