How Winter the Dolphin inspires Jordan
One month after the movie, Dolphin Tale, was released, our family had a special gift of visiting Winter at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. October 2011 will forever be a special memory for us. But it also changed the way we view prosthetics in our household.
When Jordan was a baby and we started using prosthetics, we were told to have her wear her helper arms all day long. Obviously that was upsetting to Jordan. Her little arm holds the keys to all kinds of sensory needs. A helper arm blocks access to that. So I struggled with the balance of what the experts told me versus the other developmental needs of my child. It was tricky.
Most days it came down to just making sure Jordan wore that arm a bit. It helped her grow strength she would have had a much harder time gaining otherwise. And when she was little, logic was tough. I had a hard time explaining why she needed to wear that arm… Except that I told her it “helps” and we call it a “helper arm” for that reason. As we brought in activity hands to ride a bike, kayak, play on monkey bars or swim, it make more sense as well.
But our trip to Winter helped everything really make sense.
See, Winter has a prosthetic tail because her spine was eroding because she doesn’t swim the way most dolphins swim. She swims side to side like a fish instead of up and down like a dolphin. Her spine wasn’t made to do that. When she wears her tail for about an hour a day (that’s what we learned at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium), it gives her spine a break and helps prevent worsening her spinal damage.
That’s exactly why Jordan wears her helper arm. She uses her shoulder like an elbow. But if she keeps it going, Jordan is headed down a path of long term repetitive strain injuries and chronic pain. Wearing her arm at least an hour a day, gives her shoulder a break. And thanks to Winter, that all makes sense.
Over the weekend, Jordan and I had a chance to go to the new Dolphin Tale 2 movie. Before we walked into the movie theater, I asked Jordan some questions about inspiration and how Winter helps inspire:
Here on Born Just Right, I’ve been finding support and ideas for how to handle life with our Rosie since I was pregnant with her. Yet in all this time I didn’t realize just how similar our girls are when it comes to a certain dolphin. I hope someday Jordan and Rosie can meet – you never know.
Like Jordan, Rosie wears her arm b/c Winter wears her tail. We first had an arm made for Rosie in late 2012, when she was 2 1/2. She started wearing it consistently the following May, after seeing Dolphin Tale. Then she got to meet Winter during a Camp No Limits Florida trip, and she has happily worn it part of the day most days. She’ll parrot right to anyone that she wears her arm to keep her body strong and balanced, and Winter wears her tail for the same reason. I’m sure one day she’ll understand more of the reason – and find more ways her arm actually helps her – but for now, it’s all about being just like Winter.
On Friday September 5th, Rosie will be part of the Good Morning America program – they did some filming last weekend in FL and Rosie again was able to meet Winter. It makes all the difference, as you have mentioned, for her to know Winter. I thought meeting other kids w/ helper arms would help her more… but no, it’s all about Winter.
We’re off to Camp No Limits Maryland this weekend, and hope to go every year. And we’re looking forward to DT2 – we had an opportunity for a pre-screening, offered very kindly, but there’s no way Rosie could sit through it quietly! We’ll wait for redbox.
I’m so glad you had such a special experience with Winter. I’m so jealous you guys have the chance to do multiple Camp No Limits! The one thing Jordan said to me during the final scenes of DT2 was how she really, really wants to go to camp in Florida. Maybe some year soon. Enjoy camp and I can’t wait to see Rosie on Good Morning America!
Jen, the timing of this post is PERFECT. We just spent Monday and Tuesday in Middletown, NY at Handspring, getting Ruby’s first Helper Hand. Seeing this post on the day we officially started the two day process (Ruby’s casting was done in NYC last week) was as close to kismet, as it gets! Thanks as always for all that you do. Following your families journey is so helpful to me. I appreciate the guidance.
I’m so glad, Nikki! Hugs to you and Ruby! The helper hand process is a lot of work, but I know it will help Ruby stay strong!
[…] That’s how her “elbow arm” comes into the picture. Before now, the arm has needed a sleeve to connect to her arm and the prosthetic has fit almost all the way up to her shoulder. She has worn a figure 8 harness over both shoulders to help manage the weight and function of the arm. That fit has helped her learn how to use a prosthetic but it has never been something she’s chosen to wear. It’s not that comfortable. It’s not that functional. But I’ve encouraged her to wear it a little a day to help her body function a little more like a two-handed body and give her shoulder time off. (She uses it most of the time like it’s her elbow. Shoulders weren’t made to function like elbows so it deserves a break.) We call it our “Winter the Dolphin theory.” […]