Well done David Russell! - Amazing Story from the Weekend

28 Feb 2017 by Sorrento Surf Lifesaving Club

We have received the below letter from one of our members and we would love everyone to see how amazing our members are!

Well done David Russell!

Please see below for the amazing story.

To Rob and the Board of Directors,
Sundays Masters States Carnival was another great day for Sorrento. There was everything we at Sorrento love and enjoy about a carnival including, but not limited to, Competition, camaraderie a great sense of support, a big dose of success and of course the lovely W.A. sunshine.
When the medals were handed out though there was one person who was overlooked. He, in my opinion, deserved the shiniest medal of all, for handling a situation that arose, and he did it with a great deal of compassion, empathy and professionalism.
There was an incident in the ladies water arena which saw a young adolescent indigenous male come noisily and aggressively amongst the women competitors all marshalled on the beach, and he was closely followed by a caregiver, and another women, who clearly had lost control of her charge.
This young man, whom we later found out was Autistic, was grabbing at the women compeditiors and pulling at their clothing in a very rough and intimidating manner.
Step in Dave Russell who had volunteered to do first aid for the carnival (and it was his birthday I am led to believe) and Neil Rouse who both tried to calm the young fellow down. The lad was offered water which was quickly then spat into Neil Rowses face. The boy was also scratching pinching and trying to get up from the sand where he had crumpled down to.
Dave Russell was very adept at speaking calmly to the lad and his caregiver and tryng to get this situation under control.
After some time the young man was escorted from our arena by Dave and the Carrers, and the carnival proceedings, which had been held up during this incident, recommenced.
Apparently the young mans carer, was new to looking after her charge, and had bought him to the beach, which he supposedly usually enjoyed. However the beach was not the way it normally was, with a carnival in full swing, and he was put way out of his comfort zone and became quite agitated, unruly, aggressive and unmanageable for the unfortunate caregiver, who was trying to hold onto him as he ran up the beach.
After Dave Russell took them away from all the activity he was eventually able to get the carrer and her charge to their car. Dave then finding that this boy could not be restrained in the car adequately, and very concerned he may become unruly and aggressive again whilst in transit then accompanied the carrer to the boys lodgings in Clarkson, and made sure the boy remained calm and stable whilst he was driven to his destination.
Dave had finished his time on first aid and went to great lengths in his own time to make sure this situation had a safe and happy outcome, when quite easily and quickly this could have escalated into a very unpredictable and potentally dangerous situation.
I think Dave did an outstanding job in this very unusual situation, and for all he did for this young special needs person and his carrer, and for aiding the womens arena to again become operational, he is the man who deserve the biggest cheer of all on the day.

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