Our Dolphin Experience  

Tuesday 7 April 2009

Trojan from Trojans Corner has worked his magic again and made this beautiful short video album of our trip to the dolphins...it brings back memories so sweet it brings tears to my eyes.... Thanks Trojan, you are an angel...go to http://www.trojansgallery.blogspot.com/ to see his lovely post on the subject.



Why wild dolphins in the Bahamas? I know most of you have heard about swimming with dolphins in captivity in special centres, and I hear its incredible. We wanted a different experience though. Before we booked our trip I read about peoples experiences, and most importantly about how those people were afterwards.

One thing was obvious, no-one came away from their experiences with the dolphins without having had a life altering experience. But one thing became obvious the more I looked into it, and that was that the beneficial effects of swimming with wild dolphins seemed to outlast those of people who swam with captive dolphins.

There's lots of speculation as to why, some reports suggested that as wild dolphins are happier, they can give more. Others simply that the whole experience is freer, and therefore more therapeutic. But just as no one knows quite why dolphins are so beneficial, no one really knows the answers to that question either.

So we went off to look around on the Internet with Aaron on my lap, and he clicked off onto a group called Wild quest. We delved a little deeper and it seemed just what we were looking for.

Not only was this a group that took you out to swim with wild dolphins, it was actually a healing family week. Perfect. So off we went. I'm a bit of a water baby, so I couldn't wait to get there. Dave was a little apprehensive as he'd never swam in the sea before. The kids have no fear of anything, so they just wanted to dive right in and have an adventure.

When we got there, the size of the island was a surprise, it was tiny, and quite underdeveloped, and probably the most natural beautiful place I have ever seen. And the wild quest crew were fantastic with all the kids. They looked straight past Aaron and Deion's physical limitations and saw them for who they are as people. Total acceptance, as many of you know, is very rare indeed.

Although we initially thought we were going for Aaron, we all benefited. Deion, as you all now know has cerebral palsy, and we were not quite prepared for the effect the week would have on him either. All of our faces the first time we caught a glimpse of those magical dolphins gliding through the water must have been a picture. And the noises they make, I can't quite put it into words, but it's a sound that vibrates right through you and makes you feel totally peaceful. Like I said, words are inadequate here.

It wasn't all smooth sailing (pardon the pun). As I said, Dave isn't the best swimmer, I often tease him that he swims like a brick. He has a whole big excuse about his muscle being more dense than ours, closer to the surface, subcutaneous muscle he says, makes you heavier in the water. Whatever Dave!!! The day we saw a tiny baby tiger shark in the water though, his subcutaneous muscle didn't kick in, and he practically ran on water to get back to the boat. He shot past me quicker than I've ever seen anyone swim! Of course it would have been better if he hadn't left an eight year old Jordan in the water to fend for himself.

But before you ring social services, don't worry, there were plenty of other people in the water, and Jordan got back to the boat safely. We'll never let Dave live it down though.

Anyway, when we got back; friends, family, teachers and doctors couldn't quite believe the change in Aaron. He was more alert, his eyes were wide open and he had more energy than we knew what to do with. So we broke our necks and got back there every year, every time we touch down in Bimini it feels like coming home, wildquest crew have become family and it became our way of keeping Aaron strong. A sort of secret weapon, if he became week or ill, we booked a flight.

Thats why we scattered Aaron's ashes there, it was like taking him home, now we think of him flying through the waves with his dolphin friends. I know that's where I'd want to be.

xxx

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Email this post


13 comments: to “ Our Dolphin Experience

  • Joanie
    7 April 2009 at 14:19  

    What a beautful story! Thank you for sharing it with us.

  • Trojan Gordon
    7 April 2009 at 14:53  

    As usual you written words matched with the slide show demonstrate how effective a team we are.

    Hopefully people awareness of the benefits of this programme can be for all types of people, but especially people with special needs.

    I have seen firsthand the benefits it has had on your family and would stress to your readers to either give it a go or recommend it to some who may benefit from the experience.

    The main reason for doing the slide show was to bring awareness to this and other such like programmes around the world.

    I welcome your comments and feedback.

    Peace to all those who visit Sally’s World!

  • Green Mountain Living
    7 April 2009 at 17:30  

    That looked fantastic! I don't know what it is about dolphins either but they are a beautiful creature from God aren't they? Beautiful way to preserve that memory.

  • Kim
    7 April 2009 at 21:21  

    That was a beautiful post and a great video.

  • mom24boys
    7 April 2009 at 22:07  

    Beautiful post. What an amazing memory, and I love the thought of Aaron being reunite with his dolphin friends. Wow.

  • Ruth
    7 April 2009 at 22:55  

    I believe.

    For a while I did a meditation when I got stressed out - I swam with dolphins. Even meeting them in my visualization they were a healing presence.

  • Melinda
    7 April 2009 at 23:27  

    What a beautiful story and what amazing memories you were able to create with your family! Thank you so much for sharing!

  • Missy
    8 April 2009 at 00:37  

    My son is in the Bahamas now! That is one thing he was excited about doing while there~

  • Unknown
    8 April 2009 at 00:56  

    Kaishon really wants to do this! I hope we can someday! This made it look even more exciting than it appeared to be! WOW!

  • Cozyflier
    8 April 2009 at 00:58  

    Sally, I'm a dolphin fanatic! I love your amazing story. I've swam with dolphins in captivity, and would love to do it in the wild. Someday....

    Thanks for sharing this, amazing.

  • Leslie
    8 April 2009 at 02:46  

    Sally... wow... powerful slide show and post. Thanks for sharing Aaron with us.

  • Sally's World
    8 April 2009 at 03:42  

    Thanks for all your comments, being able to share our stories is so important to me, especially Aaron's special memories, otherwise it feels as if it all stops....i would recommend wildquest to anyone,and its not as expensive as you might think either, certainly less expensive that swimming in centres...xxxxx

  • The Me/ The Wife/ The Mom
    15 April 2009 at 17:54  

    Sally! What a beautiful experience...thank you so much for sharing.

    I hope you guys continue to vacation there.

Blog Widget by LinkWithin
 

Design by Amanda @ Blogger Buster