Katie's Story
Life has been a constant battle since I was 2 years old, I grew up with reflux in both of my kidneys and constant infections. I have spent the last 6 months in hospital with multiple neurological disorders and recurrent infections. My husband, Mike, wrote to Clearwater Marine Aquarium as he knew I had a very special connection to a dolphin that lives there. Winter the dolphin's battle for survival is so rare that she even has 2 Warner Brothers films dedicated to her true story; Dolphin Tale & Dolphin Tale 2. CMA contacted Mike back offering us the opportunity to go and visit Winter on the 22nd September 2015. I'm trying to hold my emotions together, but I feel so honoured to be given such a beautiful opportunity.
Winter also relies of the use of plastic to survive, with her prosphetic tail; without which she would damage her spine and become parilised, making her unable to swim. In 2011, I underwent the Mitrofanoff Procedure as a way of emptying my bladder because I couldn't. Due to complications with this surgery, I'm now reliant on stoma products to manage day to day living. Winter has taught me that the use of plastic medically can be natural; any reconstruction patient should be proud of how far they have come, and how hard we've fought to survive. I'm hoping that my visit to meet Winter will inspire other urinary diversion patients, and spread awareness of younger patients who's lives are managed this way.
As the biggest thank you to CMA, I'm raising funds to help with the costs of rescuing, rehabilating, releasing and homing the sick and injured marine life found in Florida. Please read more below about how the money raised will help this non-profit organisation.
Winter's Story
At only three months old, Winter was found stranded in Mosquito Lagoon, near Cape Canaveral, Florida, having become entangled in a crab trap line which cut off circulation to her tail flukes. After disentanglement, she was transported to CMA for treatment of her extensive injuries. However, despite exhaustive efforts to promote healing, her tail deteriorated and could not be saved. Her story is unusual - most dolphins trapped in monofilament and crab trap lines do not survive. Despite overwhelming odds against survival, Winter's energy and ability to adapt to her new physical form surpassed expectations. She is the only dolphin in the world to have a prosthetic tail, and without this, she would not have survived.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is fundamentally a hospital for sick and injured marine life. However, what they do is so much more. They inspire the human spirit, through the animals and their stories of survival, which touch all of us. They educate young people on the preservation and conservation of our animals and environment. This organisation survives purely on donations to rescue, rehabilitate and release.
The cost of their ongoing rescue, rehabilitation, research, education and resident animal program exceeds what CMA are able to collect through admission. They rely on the generous donations of their members and the global community to support these significant costs. The care provided for each resident sea turtle is approximately $250 a day, almost $90,000 annually. Every dollar you designate towards the Animal Care Fund is used for the direct care of the animals.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium's work with sick and injured marine life is ongoing, and the funds they receive will allow them to continue the inspiring work that they do. I hope the funds I raise will help many other beautiful animals like Winter to survive under their exceptional care and ethos of CMA. CMA’s Education Department is dedicated to inspiring guests of all ages to appreciate the marine environment whilst promoting conservation. By teaching children and adults the importance of conservation, ecology and stewardship, they believe they will apply this knowledge to make sustainable choices and take an active part in preserving the marine environment globally.
