How I Fell Back in Love With the Ocean After My Injury
By Rick Chapman — July 27th, 2025
When I was younger — before my injury — the ocean was my sanctuary. I spent hours in and under the water, diving reefs in Bermuda, feeling like I truly belonged there. After becoming mobility-disabled, I thought that part of my life was over. But this June, at Myrtle Beach with my family, something shifted.
This trip was more than just a vacation — it was a chance to face the water again and find a way to belong in it… even if it was different now.
Crown Reef Resort: A Room With a View
We stayed at the Crown Reef Resort & Waterpark, which spans four separate buildings along the oceanfront. The elevators were on the small side, but reliable. Ramps connected most areas, though the “semi-private” beach required stairs and a wooden boardwalk, making it quite a challenge for me. We couldn’t get an ADA-accessible room this time, but the view from our 14th-floor balcony was unforgettable — sunrise over the Atlantic was worth every hurdle.
Dining: Fun & Flavor
We tried the on-site Loco Gecko for lunch — casual and fun, if not exactly gourmet. The next morning we attempted breakfast at Johnny D’s Waffles, but the noise was too overwhelming, so we moved on to Hot Stacks Pancake House. There, we found quiet, friendly service, and excellent food — the perfect way to start the day.
Back to the Water
If I’m honest, I was nervous about getting near the water again. I couldn’t reach the beach itself, but sitting on the balcony, hearing the waves and smelling the salt air, reminded me why I loved it so much. Later, we strolled the accessible areas of the boardwalk, and I felt it again — that calm, that connection.
That’s when it hit me: you can reconnect, even if it’s different now.
A Little Family Fun
We played a round at Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf on the Lost Boys course, which is ADA-accessible. It was hot but a blast — just avoid the other course if you use a chair or have limited mobility, as it has lots of steps!
Lessons From the Waves
- The ocean doesn’t care how fast or far you can move — it’s still there, waiting for you.
- Reconnecting with what you love doesn’t always look the way you imagined, and that’s okay.
Even though I couldn’t dive or walk the beach, I fell back in love with the ocean — not as the person I used to be, but as the person I am now. And that was enough.
If you’ve felt disconnected from something you love because of life changes or challenges, I hope you’ll give yourself the chance to reconnect — even if it’s different now. You deserve that joy.