The Royal Caribbean FlowRider Girl - gone viral

[Sea rabbit]

How lovely. My husband and I love watching the Flow rider. The staff always seem helpful but this story has made me cry. With all the terrible stories on the news it is great to read about a positive, joyful experience. :)

[batt01]

This story should have come with a tissue warning. ;) Definitely made me cry.

 

My husband & I are going on a cruise alone in September for our 25th Anniversary, but we have also been contemplating taking a family cruise next year. The only problem is that my youngest child has Kabuki Syndrome, along with the many autistic-like behaviors that go along with it. We just weren't sure how she would be received on board. Your story gives me hope that it might be a very good experience for all of our children. Thanks so much for sharing!

 

If you do take a family cruise, remember to fill out the special needs survey AND call the special needs desk about one week prior to your cruise. I would just say your child has autism - people are really starting to understand that, and you wouldn't have to explain Kabuki as much. Honestly, all I had to do was say "My child has autism" and EVERYONE knew what we were talking about. RCI has done a wonderful job of informing their crew - and awareness is really all that is needed.'

[batt01]

If you have a picture to share of this, please do so.

 

I did try as I have pictures that go along with the story. But they didn't paste into the post.

[batt01]

It is always heart warming when people show their humanity by showing kindness to others. Makes you smile doesn't it.:)

 

God bless your family and your daughter. And hats off to Rojda and the Freedom staff.

 

Thanks for sharing.....sniff:o

 

Agreed about humanity... and the nice thing about the entire cruise was that finally, people seem to understand autism. Especially school aged kids. Once they understand that something is a little different they are generally the ones that totally get it. But on this cruise, not only the kids on board, but EVERYONE seemed to understand and not mind that Camille can be a bit loud, or not wait in line easily. It was the easiest family vacation we have ever taken - RCCL played a huge part in that, but the passengers as well. I think traveling people are generally really kind people.

[batt01]

I'm not sure how many of you that posted above come back to this thread. But if you do ...THANK YOU for all your incredible kind posts! I've never felt so happy about being the mother of an autistic child in my life! You all are very special and I appreciate YOUR posts. I tried to respond to specific comments, but couldn't possibly say thank you to everyone. I hope you all find this post someday and know that my heart sings.

 

Travel safely, my friends.

 

Lee Anne - Hickory, North Carolina.

[mostlylurker]

No need to cruise now; after reading this I am sitting in a pool of tears. We will be on Allure next week. I am 62 and thought i might give the '"FlowRider" a try but fear breaking something. If I get the courage I will do it in honour of Camille. Thanks for sharing. Kudos to Rojda and the RC staff.

 

We will be on allure next week too. hope to see you there..

- Glad to hear that the staff and cruisers all entered in to the spirit of what the vacation is about.

[LizzieandLuke]

This was the best thing I read all week.

[SeaTeach]

Thanks for sharing. That was an awesome story!!

[JamesEM]

Thanks for sharing, nice to read something positive.

[Gator83]

Lee Anne,

 

Thank you so much for your post. It was very heartwarming to hear about Rojda and the patience of the other cruisers. Camille trying the flowrider and her joy in accomplishing the ride is really what life is about. I could use some of her fearlessness in my own life. I love to hear about happy stories that

re-store faith in mankind. I think it would be great if RCI would so something special for Rojda, like the CEOs do on "Undercover Boss".

 

Thank you again for such a wonderful story.

 

Nancy

[Texasopa]

Very good heartwarming story, here is the Facebook post with a few pictures.

 

https://www.facebook.com/notes/lee-anne-battiston/the-royal-caribbean-flowrider-girl/10153216840156604/

Edited February 26, 2016 by Texasopa

[Mickeygrl71]

I wrote this story about our cruise on Freedom of the Seas on 1/17. It got quite a lot of shares, and later that day two executives from Royal Caribbean International called me directly to thank me for the story. Enjoy, it was a very special moment.

 

 

 

The Royal Caribbean FlowRider Girl

LEE ANNE BATTISTON·MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016583 Reads

 

 

While on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas last week my daughter, Camille, observed people having fun on a surf simulator attraction called, “FlowRider”. She didn’t seem interested so we moved along to another activity. The next day, however, Camille declared that she wanted to surf! Once we determined that she meant that she wanted to try the FlowRider my husband, John, and I took her back up to the sports deck. We were a little hesitant, though - only because we were afraid that she would not be able to be successful in the time that they allowed each participant. But, we also did not want to say no. When we arrived we found two long lines of people waiting for their turn, along with an arena full of parents and spectators. As I signed her in, I mentioned to the attendant, whose name was Rojda, that our daughter had never done this before and that she has autism, and might need a little extra help and time. Rojda said to have her stand in line and that they would do what they could to help her. Knowing that simply standing in line is a huge challenge for Camille, I figured we were going to be turning around very quickly. However, as she stood in line, she became more and more excited, to the point that she was laughing uncontrollably and could hardly contain herself. Her joy/anxiety was very apparent to everyone in line and in the arena. During this time John ran to get Camille’s grandparents, so that they could watch in the case she actually was able to try.

 

 

Finally, when it was her turn, Rojda, appeared (as did her father and grandparents). Rojda gave Camille some verbal instructions, and John was nearby to help, but Camille simply could not get on the board. Camille was asked to step to the side and I figured her turn was over. However, Rojda talked to the other attendant and they began to reconfigure the FlowRider, removing the center divider and adjusting the flow of the water. This meant that both lines of people waiting were stopped while the adjustments were made - which took some time. Absolutely no one in line seemed to mind. Several ladies siting next to me commented on how they couldn’t believe, but were very thrilled by how hard the staff was working to help my daughter.

 

 

Everyone waiting with anticipation while adjustments are made...

Once set, they gave Camille her board back. As she attemted to lay her belly on the board over the flowing water the second attendant held her legs. Rojda got on another board and just as he let go of Camille’s legs, Rojda swooped along side Camille, firmly put her left arm around her - and they were off! Camille was “SURFING” with the biggest smile on her face. The crowd watching all began to cheer and the ladies sitting nearby were crying along with me. Camille and Rojda remained on the boards together for what seemed like a very long time until they moved to the edge and Camille gently stood up. Again - the crowd cheered even louder and with such enthusiasm, Camille ran to me and gave me the biggest hug and declared, “I’m the Winner!” Yes, Camille - you are!

During the remainder of the cruise we were stopped numerous times by passengers who told us that that moment was the highlight of their entire cruise and how thrilled they were that the Freedom of the Seas staff had taken the extra time to make one very special passenger so happy. One night after dinner we entered the elevator and the people in it declared, “Look, it’s the Flowrider Girl!”

Royal Caribbean was the first cruise line claiming to be “Autism Friendly” and the fact that staff members have the freedom to bend the rules is a testament to the crew, management and, I believe, the corporate culture of Freedom of the Seas and Royal Caribbean International.

At the end of the cruise we were sure to find Rojda - where we told her how much her actions had meant to us and we were able to properly thank her for a memory that we will always cherish.

Oh DANG, I am crying now. Great Job RC and Mom/Dad. [emoji3]

 

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk