Since my childhood, I have always feared huge water bodies, and thus, considering a boat ride was never an option. However, over the summer holiday, I decided to confront my fears and experience a boat ride. I visited the Alabama Gulf Coast Dolphin Cruise, and the experience was awesome. In the beginning, I could not get my eyes off the water surface as I feared for the worst. I was in the boat with the captain alone, who was as confident as he possibly could. Looking around, I felt like the landmasses were moving while we remained in the position.
As the captain steered the boat to dolphin hotspots, my concentration changed, and I began to enjoy the new venture. It was the perfect opportunity to observe the area’s diverse marine features. The dolphins were being playful and created a spectacular show as they jumped into the air and back into the water in quick succession as if celebrating our presence in the area. The captain explained that dolphins behave like humans and can get just as playful as young children when they are excited.
I must confess that the playing animals were the most spectacular thing I saw during the trip, but the feeling cannot be compared to the calmness that surrounded the place. The only sounds that one could hear were those of aquatic animals playing and the waves hitting the land. A cool breeze blew over our heads, and looking on the one side was the land shores, but on the other side, the waters went to behind the horizon, and one could not see the end. I enjoyed both the view, the silence, and the calmness that I felt. I, however, was afraid of the deep waters, and whenever the stronger waves hit the boat, I would close my eyes. After the visit, I promised myself to visit the place more frequently, especially when I needed time alone in a serene environment. I learned that humans could only see the beauty of nature once they confront their fears.
When I received this assignment, I approached my roommates, and the four of us agreed to revisit the coast. I must admit that visiting the place as a group was even more impressive. The captain once again took steered to a dolphin hotspot, but this time he went deeper to a spot with more dolphins. Unlike in the first visit, we encountered a great deal of fun, and exciting dolphin encounters on our tour. The captain of the boat was also excited to have a cheerful team, and at times, he would pull out a crab pot and would feed the crabs to the dolphins on our route. Feeding the dolphins made them more excited, and some would surf in our boat wake as we cruised.
Make-a-Wish Foundation
The activity had more fun with friends as compared to when I was alone. My friends were so excited, and we plan to visit the place more often. Two of them admitted that they had a phobia for massive water bodies, but after the trip, they believe they make more water trips. Their best part was playing dolphins too and feeding them with crabs and small fish. I have since changed my mind about visiting the place alone for fun unless I just needed time to reflect on things or meditate.
Make-a-Wish Foundation
The “Make a Wish” foundation was formed in 1980 and is based in Phoenix. After starting in the United States, the interest to assist and grant the wishes of more children with serious health issues spread to other countries. As a result, in 1993, Make A Wish international was formed to connect such activities in five more countries besides the United States. Currently, the organization has branches in five continents, serving more than fifty states. Moreover, the organization has about 45000 volunteers with many more generous donors and has granted approximately 480,000 wishes of children across the world.
The organization’s mission states that “Together we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses,” while its vision is “To grant the wish of every eligible child.” They have a set of values that serve as the guideline to achieve the vision, and they map the priorities of the organization. The values include child focus, integrity, impact, innovation, and working as a community even though its members have diverse backgrounds.
The organization intended to serve a unique and vital role in helping strengthen and empower children battling critical illnesses. Since it was established, the organization has become synonymous with encouraging and uplifting the spirits of children suffering from critical illnesses. Any individual under eighteen years can petition the organization and request various needs that they admire, including a trip, celebrity visit, and item, or unique arrangement. The organization organizes fundraisers and seek help from well-wishers to ensure that they achieve and satisfy the wishes of all children they identify.
The program aims to provide children with an opportunity to regain the childhood life of dreams and also bring back normalcy to the family of the child as they treat the illnesses that the child is dealing with. The organization realized that when children are battling a critical illness, they lose so much of their childhood. They become exhausted and withdrawn, both physically and emotionally. Given the situation, the organization intervenes and allows the child to state any special thing, and the organization facilitates the achievement of the wish.
The organization started after a group of community members, including volunteers and well-wishers, helped a young boy achieve his dreams of becoming a police officer. The boy named Chris Greicius was only seven years old and had leukemia. His wish to become a police officer prompted her mother, friends, and a group of police officers under the Arizona Department of Public Safety to facilitate the wish. They made Chris a custom-made uniform, helmet, badge, and a helicopter ride. The boy’s joy inspired the people involved to spread the same joy, hope, and strength to more children. The idea has since grown into a global organization that encourages young children to overcome their suffering. Officials in the organization believe that, by helping a child achieve what seems impossible, the child’s perspective of life turns to that of a world of possibilities and makes them fight the health problems they face with hope.
The organization, however, has a limitation on the wishes they grant. For instance, the organization does not grant hunting wishes and advise their clients not to make a wish for unlimited unwishes. The organization also faced a challenge when, in 1989, seven-year-old Craig Shergold wishes to break the Guinness World Record for most get-well cards received got out of control. After receiving over 16 million cards in the first year, the organization distanced itself from the movement.