Mental health resources to help children Here are some resources to help you navigate the mental health system when it comes to help for children. Park Royal Park Royal does not have in-patient options for youth; however, the facility’s launched a new intensive outpatient program for 14 to 17-year-olds. It typically last several weeks or months, and offers three to five […]
NAPLES Video: FWC releases bobcat after rehab stint at Naples Zoo Wildlife officials released a bobcat back into the wild after recovering from a broken leg at Naples Zoo for eight weeks.
Single-member vs. at-large voting debate intensifies in Lee County Three members of Southwest Florida’s state Legislature delegation hosted a public forum May 1 at Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District, established by the state in 2015.
Unsolved: sawfish deaths rise during Florida Keys mystery More endangered smalltooth sawfish deaths were reported in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s weekly report.
Emails show beginnings, contradictions of South Seas resort amendment South Seas resort ownership group’s engineer proposed a land-use amendment for Lee County’s government at least six months before the first public discussions and at least seven weeks before the county’s official timeline began, emails between the resort’s representatives and county show.
NORTH FORT MYERS Lee County deputy subdues convicted felon with Taser at North Fort Myers Walmart Lee County deputies used a Taser on a man after they raced through a North Fort Myers Walmart searching for him.
FORT MYERS 2 posing as Target Corporate employees steal over $6K at Fort Myers Target SWFL Crime Stoppers seeks information on two men who allegedly claimed to be employees of Target Corporate and stole over $6,000 at Target.
Punta Gorda cosiders fate of historic A.C. Freeman House It was built by politician and businessman Augustus C. Freeman whose name the house bears, and it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested for armed robbery in Cape Coral The Cape Coral Police Department has arrested a man for armed robbery and giving a fake name to law enforcement.
Jacksonville Gov. DeSantis signs bills to provide financial options for Floridians Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will provide financial options to Floridians and another bill that curates the state public school curriculum.
BONITA SPRINGS LCSO seeks information on missing 77-year-old kayaker LCSO seeks information on a missing kayaker after responding to a call about a missing kayak off the coast of Bonita Beach.
FORT MYERS Tim Tebow speaks at annual Southwest Florida Community Prayer Breakfast Former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow took the stage at Hammond Stadium for the annual Southwest Florida Community Prayer Breakfast.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City Council to provide update on Fowler Street construction project The Fort Myers City Council is set to provide an update on the progress of the Fowler Street intersection project.
the weather authority Evening isolated storms to impact coastal communities Thursday The Weather Authority is tracking a humid Thursday morning with high afternoon temperatures and evening coastal isolated storms.
FORT MYERS BEACH Sea turtle nesting season begins in Fort Myers Beach Sea turtle nesting season has officially begun, and the FWC wants to remind visitors about the fragility of the young reptiles.
Mental health resources to help children Here are some resources to help you navigate the mental health system when it comes to help for children. Park Royal Park Royal does not have in-patient options for youth; however, the facility’s launched a new intensive outpatient program for 14 to 17-year-olds. It typically last several weeks or months, and offers three to five […]
NAPLES Video: FWC releases bobcat after rehab stint at Naples Zoo Wildlife officials released a bobcat back into the wild after recovering from a broken leg at Naples Zoo for eight weeks.
Single-member vs. at-large voting debate intensifies in Lee County Three members of Southwest Florida’s state Legislature delegation hosted a public forum May 1 at Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District, established by the state in 2015.
Unsolved: sawfish deaths rise during Florida Keys mystery More endangered smalltooth sawfish deaths were reported in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s weekly report.
Emails show beginnings, contradictions of South Seas resort amendment South Seas resort ownership group’s engineer proposed a land-use amendment for Lee County’s government at least six months before the first public discussions and at least seven weeks before the county’s official timeline began, emails between the resort’s representatives and county show.
NORTH FORT MYERS Lee County deputy subdues convicted felon with Taser at North Fort Myers Walmart Lee County deputies used a Taser on a man after they raced through a North Fort Myers Walmart searching for him.
FORT MYERS 2 posing as Target Corporate employees steal over $6K at Fort Myers Target SWFL Crime Stoppers seeks information on two men who allegedly claimed to be employees of Target Corporate and stole over $6,000 at Target.
Punta Gorda cosiders fate of historic A.C. Freeman House It was built by politician and businessman Augustus C. Freeman whose name the house bears, and it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested for armed robbery in Cape Coral The Cape Coral Police Department has arrested a man for armed robbery and giving a fake name to law enforcement.
Jacksonville Gov. DeSantis signs bills to provide financial options for Floridians Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will provide financial options to Floridians and another bill that curates the state public school curriculum.
BONITA SPRINGS LCSO seeks information on missing 77-year-old kayaker LCSO seeks information on a missing kayaker after responding to a call about a missing kayak off the coast of Bonita Beach.
FORT MYERS Tim Tebow speaks at annual Southwest Florida Community Prayer Breakfast Former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow took the stage at Hammond Stadium for the annual Southwest Florida Community Prayer Breakfast.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City Council to provide update on Fowler Street construction project The Fort Myers City Council is set to provide an update on the progress of the Fowler Street intersection project.
the weather authority Evening isolated storms to impact coastal communities Thursday The Weather Authority is tracking a humid Thursday morning with high afternoon temperatures and evening coastal isolated storms.
FORT MYERS BEACH Sea turtle nesting season begins in Fort Myers Beach Sea turtle nesting season has officially begun, and the FWC wants to remind visitors about the fragility of the young reptiles.
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla.- For many parents with children who suffer from Autism, a number of normal activities are usually impossible for their children. Things like playing sports and other social events can be difficult for their children to adapt to. But some parents from across the east coast, as well as those in SWFL are now seeing a different side to their children. “He’s opened up more, he’s able to hold a conversation longer than just one line,” said Robert Wolf. His son, 14 year old Jacob Wolf, lives with autism. He said his son has blossomed over the past seven years, thanks to a new found love for surfing. “It’s amazing to see the transformation in him. That he can now ride a bicycle, he can Ice skate now because of the balance of surfing where he couldn’t do it before.” Jacob learned how to surf seven years ago, with volunteers and event organizers from the Surfers for Autism tour along side him. “When he first started he held on for dear life, to the board and didn’t wanna do it,” he said. “They pried him out of my arms screaming, crying. I had a lot of anxiety letting him do it… But 7 years later now, he’s taking the board out by himself and riding waves by himself.” It’s an activity he says he would have never imagined his son doing. Saturday afternoon, the tour returned to Fort Myers Beach for the fifth time, with 180 registered surfers, and almost 200 volunteers. “It just opens up a whole new world for them that they thought wasn’t even possible,” said Dave Rossman, Communications Director for Surfers with Autism. The event pairs a child with a volunteer, and together, they go out into the water. They can choose to learn to paddle board or surf. “You know, a lot of times, they’re told so many times what their child won’t be able to do,” he said. “Forget about this thing, they cant do that thing. So for them to watch their child surf which is an extreme sport., I think they have a moment of ‘Oh my goodness! What else is my child capable of?” “I’ve been riding since I was 5 in Deer Field… I feel like I’m flying,” said Damien Richter, a loyal participant in this event since May 2008. Richter has since picked up surfing as a hobby, and won the gold medal at last year’s Special Olympics for surfing. “It makes me feel happy when I surf.” Rossman tells WINK News it takes careful planning to host these events, and volunteers need to understand how to communicate with children living with autism differently. “We sit everybody down, all the volunteers and we talk a bit about Autism behaviors. The importance of looking them in the eye, take your sunglasses off, make the connection, speak slowly.” So far, the response has been mostly successful. Hundreds of children hit the water, almost fearlessly. Rossman said they all seem to enjoy it, and find it a comfortable environment. It’s also created a judgement free zone, according to CEO Dan Ryan, for families and kids alike. “For me as a parent.” said Wolf , “It’s like a family reunion every 3 weeks from April to November that we come to. We want to go because you just can’t wait. Every parent understands it, they all have a special needs kid so they all get it.” The tour runs from April to November across the east coast and makes stops in 14 cities in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. “It’s just been amazing for the whole family unit,” said Wolf. “As much as he [Jacob] gets out of it during the surf, I get that much out of it too.” Rossman says every year is an emotional experience with new families, and watching parents see their children learn new things is a rewarding sight every time. “You come out here and speak with some of these families and you hear what they deal with on a day in, day out basis. Just [seeing] the love and patience and just how much they do for their children, the sacrifices they make, it’s just really humbling and it just really inspires you to wan to do more.”