A dolphin named Winter

I am currently in my second week of my holidays, and two days ago while I was relaxing on the couch, flicking through the channels on the T.V, I came across the movies. 'A dolphin tale' had just started, it looked like your typical cheesy, family movie. Ha what more could a girl want for a bit of afternoon entertainment. The more I watched the more I began realising this was longer your average cheesy, family movie but an extremely touching story with huge connection to animal assisted therapy and occupational therapy. Here is a link to the movie A dolphin tale
                                                                      

                                                                       WINTER

At only four months old, Winter was trapped in a crab trap line and was unable to escape. She was rescued and brought to Clear Water Marine (CWM), where she was put through an intense rehab, after losing her tail and two vertebrate. Many dolphins unfortunately die when they get caught in the same trap Winter was. But her ability to adapt to new physical form and a new swim pattern has surpassed expectations of many expects.

Not only is it remarkable that Winter survived her injuries BUT she also excepted a prosthetic tail.

Here is a link to the website where you are able to see the full story and a descriptive explanation about how her prosthetic tail came about. You are also able to see a webcam of Winter. Website TIP- Dont forget about time deference, depending where you live in the world, winter might be out of action due to the time!!

Although Winter incorporates AAT into her interactions with people she also offers so much more. It can be an extremely long, and tough journey for anyone experiencing a disability, the young and old. For those of us who still have both legs and arms, who aren't bound by a wheel chair, it is incredible hard for us to understand the struggles those individuals face who have lost a limb, or who have a condition which stops them from walking. Unless this is what you deal with every day, it is impossible to know how hard it really is. When individuals who suffer a disability get in the water with Winter everything changes. There is instantly a mutual understanding between human and dolphin, although she doesn't necessarily verbally talk, her interactions, and her touch, is all that is needed to show she too understands what it it like. Winter helps motivate those who have a disability. She is a reminder that anything is possible, and with a bit of help along the way, you too can make a difference.

Here is an example of Winter doing all the above Winter

And finally- I recommend that you watch 'A dolphin tale'. It may not be receiving the next oscar for best movie, and the main characters are not up for best actor or actress, but what it leaves you with is hope, inspiration, a tear here and there, and most importantly it makes you think about the huge accomplishments those with a disability achieve on a daily basis.