from cnn:
walter marino shouted to his 12-year-old son, christopher, as he drifted farther away in the Atlantic Ocean.
"to infinity," the father yelled.
"and beyond," christopher replied.
an autistic boy who spent 12 hours stranded in the atlantic ocean enjoyed himself during his ordeal, his father told cnn. walter marino said his son doesn't fear death because of his disease and therefore remained calm. walter marino, who was swept out to sea with his son, said he took comfort in christopher's calmness, fostering his own survival. "it was a big entertainment roller coaster for him, that's what got me through it -- because he wasn't freaking out," marino said.
as mr. marino stated, his son doesn't fear death. once mr. marino found the neighborhood boys beating christopher with sticks chanting "rain man, rain man." this was also a proud moment for mr. marino, as christopher didn't show any fear then either. in fact, christopher hardly ever shows any kind of emotion. he just moans and rolled his eyes back in his head. Mr. marino usually can tell when christopher is enjoying something, as his moan becomes more severe - just like the day at the beach when his father lead his fearless son into the ocean and quickly became separated from him. christopher was moaning pretty loud, and mr. marino read this as pleasure, as he is surely correct. kids with autism can not get enough of repetitious activities like treading water or tying and untying shoelaces.
to infinity christopher! said mr. marino.
and beyond (gurgle, moan) says christopher in return, while his eyes roll back in his head.
an beyond, young christopher, and beyond......
