W
is for Winter, the Dolphin
by Nancy Stewart
Many people worldwide have heard the story of
Winter, the bottlenose dolphin. Only two
months old, her tail caught in a crab trap line, she was rescued off the east
coast of Florida one wintery morning seven years ago by a fisherman. Jim Savage saw a small commotion close to his
boat and went over to investigate. The
rest, as is said, is history.
Winter was ultimately fitted with a prosthetic tail,
ingeniously devised by Hangar Prosthetics. This tail allows the dolphin to swim as a dolphin does, thus keeping her
from having back problems as she ages. Winter now does small jumps out of the
water the way any other dolphin will do.
Winter has become an inspiration for people
worldwide. Along with other visitors, children and adults with prosthetic limbs
visit the aquarium to see the brave little dolphin who greets as many as she
can with a wet dolphin kiss!
She was certainly influential to a little girl named
Katrina Simpkins, whose life was changed profoundly upon meeting and
befriending the young dolphin. Katrina,
who must wear a prosthetic leg, was touched immeasurably by her ongoing
relationship with Winter.
To that end, I have written a children’s book, Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage (Guardian Angel Publishing). It will be released in May, 2012. The book contains many photos of Katrina and
Winter, as they progress through their real-life friendship.
Every time I see a dolphin swimming freely here in
Florida, I think of Winter. Her new normal is not freedom
but hope. She does so much for humanity every day. I can't help but believe she
has a life that is well lived and is content in that knowledge.
Visit Nancy Stewart:
Website: http://www.nancystewartbooks.com
Blog: http://www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com
Nancy, thank you for visiting with me today and sharing the inspirational true life story of Katrina and Winter!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist
I have the movie "A dolphin tale on my computer." The story of Winters changed life, very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI've often wondered how Winter is doing, is she still ok? Where is she now and so on.
A good choice for your challenge and a good post, thanks and blessings, Geoff.
Geoff, thank you for visiting and for your lovely comment. Once I signed up for the challenge, Nancy and I started chatting how we could guest post at each's blog. It's worked out wonderfully!
DeleteMany thanks, Donna, for hosting me today on your amazing blog! It's always such a pleasure to visit here--and I do often. You and your work are inspirational...
ReplyDeleteNancy, always a pleasure to host you! An amazing heartwarming story!
DeleteCan't wait, Nancy! My daughter volunteers at Mote Marine Aquarium. I will personally buy a copy and take it to them! Oh, and I'll need one for my nieces, and one for the children's classroom at church, and..
ReplyDeleteLove it!
Kelly Stilwell
Hi Kelly, Thank you for stopping by and showing your wonderful support of Nancy!
DeleteSounds like a great read to get my 12yr old daughter, thanks and blessings!
ReplyDeleteHi Shannon,
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting. Glad you like Nancy's book.
All the best,
Donna