Dec 15 2008
A Winter’s Tail
Photo Credit: St. Pete Times
On December 10, 2005 in the Mosquito Lagoon off the coast of Florida, Jim Savage, a fisherman took to the waters on a fishing excursion. His eyes caught a glimpse of a crab buoy that was tilted in the opposite direction as all the others in the line, curiosity taking the best of him; he motored over towards the buoy. Pulling the buoy up, he found a baby dolphin, tail tied in the lines and gasping for life.
Jim knew he needed to help this poor dolphin and immediately called for help, Teresa Mazza, a research assistant for Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute in Orlando, received the call and headed out. After examining the extensive wounds, Teresa was certain that this little baby was not going to make it. Hubbs-SeaWorld made the call to the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce for the use of their special ambulance for transporting injured whales and dolphins. The baby dolphin was transported to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium only to have her tail fall off a few days later.
They named her ‘Winter’ in hopes of a winter miracle, the thought of this infant dolphin surviving, would require just that; a miracle. It was not until after Valentines Day that Winter began to attempt swim on her own, by using her pectoral fins in a doggy paddle-like motion and her stump of a tail side to side much like a fish as opposed to a dolphin. By using her tail in this manner, a new concern arose, Scoliosis!
Kevin Carroll, VP of Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics caught wind of Winter’s story and immediately called Clearwater Marine Aquarium announcing, “I can put a tail on your dolphin”. Upon the first trials of fitting Winter for her new tail, she would shake it off and play fetch with it! After two years of physical therapy, thousands of pounds of fish, and over 50 prototypes, Winter’s Scoliosis began to reverse itself!
Photo Credit: St. Pete Times
Winter now serves as hope to young children that are in similar circumstances, since the visit of Katrina Simpkins in 2007. Katrina, has a stunted right thigh and wears prosthesis to school, she had a tough time in the 3rd grade, due to another child that teased her throughout the school year. Katrina was able to pick where she wanted to go for the family’s summer vacation and of course chose the Cinderella Castle in Disney World. While planning the route, Katrina’s mom found an aquarium close by and decided to stop there as well. That was when Katrina discovered Winter! They we’re the same… as Katrina came close to the tank’s edge, Winter came right to her and made eye contact.
Winter has become not only Katrina’s best friend, but her hope as well!
