MONDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2002

It was a gorgeous day.  Azure sky, golden sun and turquoise sea with a slight salty breeze.  We all had had a chance that morning to release the stress we’d brought with us from Johannesburg into the rejuvenating sea and I felt calm and centred.  Ready for the onslaught. Nelia, Courtney, Jennifer and I waited impatiently. They were late!

After waiting on the sunkissed beach for quite a while, where time stands still, our restless excitement was suddenly interrupted - They had arrived after what, for them, must have seemed like a very long trip.  There was great excitement and joy and in the midst of the chatter and laughter.  Though some of the younger ones were feeling unsettled and cranky.  But not for long.

Now we could celebrate and unite. We’d made it!  Here they were on the first Dawn Rising trip to the sea of dolphins at the Dolphin Beachcamp in Ponta d’ Oura, Mozambique. 

My friend Christine Jones and I had initiated the project in June 2002 inspired by Chris’ daughter, Shaunae, who is classified with Downs Syndrome.  Shaunae is 18 years old and loves drumming, dancing  and playing poi (ribbons on chains or string that you swing around – we use this therapy to enhance left/right brain coordination & physical mobility) and dances with fire poi.  She is the only “Down’s” firedancer I know in the world. You should see her move!

Then Nelia, Jen, Courtney and I spent the afternoon relaxing and getting acquainted with the surroundings and the rustic reeded camp we stayed in, right on the beach. A tide of bluebottles blew in much to everyone’s dismay so after Jean-Pierre had been stung 3 times in his first swim, nobody dared venture into the sea.  Jean-Pierre is a bright boy of 11 years who is classified ADHD.  He is well mannered, confident, well-spoken and a real pleasure to have around.  Swims like a fish.  So that was that for the proposed snorkel course scheduled for that afternoon and instead we got together in our opening circle.  Jennifer, with her guitar, led us into the song she’d written specially for this moment :

“I’ve got a name
You’ve got a name
Everybody’s got a name.
My name is "……….."       
(here each would sing out their name and then
everyone would sing out:)
"Hello "………"              

(and the chorus:)
"Everybody’s got a name”

Eeveryone got a turn to sing their name and then Shaunae, Kupano and Nicholas playing some mean rhythms on the drums.  Nicholas is 20 years old and has Cerebral Palsy.  He came down with his Mom, Joan and Dad, Eelko.  He has an incredible sense of humour and his folks believe that the most important thing for these kids (or any kids for that matter) is to improve their self esteem.  Well it certainly shows, as Nicholas is friendly and outgoing and between him and Kupano, had us in stitches of laughter often.  Kupano is 19 and has an undefinable condition similar to CP.  He is a natural leader and a drummer of note.  He and Shaunae drum together in perfect rhythm and could drum all day if we let them.  He’s often instructing the others as to what to do and Nicholas in his tall honest confidence retorts command “Yes, Sir Kupano” with a ceremonious bow of the head.

After dinner we attended the compulsory course of conduct and our Dolphin hostess, Angie, introduced everyone.

The next day began very early with the dawn rising.  Most of us were up by 5.30 by which time the sun was already up in the sky.  Sharon and her daughter, Emma (10) (see pic on left) were doing stretches and yoga-type movements on the beach and some of us joined in. 

Sharon teaches Eurythmy - expression through movement – and is very holistically-minded following the natural way in respect of her and Emma’s health and nutrition.  Emma is a lovable, friendly, joyful little girl that literally bowls you over with her energetic affection.

The first launch was scheduled for 6.30.  Drat – the sea looked pretty rough and there was a strong wind blowing.  Harry, the skipper, decided that he couldn’t take us out to swim with the dolphins – to everyone’s great disappointment - but that it would be a good idea to get all the special ones and moms used to the boat.  So we split into our two groups and all got a turn to experience the boat ride. 

We were on the second launch  – Shaunae was enjoying it immensely yet her sister, Kyla, who’d that morning broken out in measles with red angry spots all over her body, and wasn’t feeling very great – poor thing, screamed every time we hit a wave and cried inbetween.  The rest watched with wide eyes and clung onto their mom’s legs, but didn’t seem too uncomfortable.  You could see even the moms were nervous, but for many people the first time out at sea it’s a major adventure – going out on a small boat into the huge vastness of the sea.  Harry had to circle three times before he could cut the swells, break through the breakers and get out behind the backline much to the squeals of nervously, excited children.  Nerve-racking to say the least until finally we were out there in the big blue among the rolling swells. 

Well of course the dolphins came to say hello and miraculously all fears disappeared.  These beautiful animals were all around us, gracing us with their presence and beauty.  They were in a playful, interactive mood, swimming under the bow, chasing the boat, leaping in the air and cruising alongside us with their blowholes popping loudly.  What a treat for all of us and especially the young dolphin lovers who shouted excitedly to each other, their moms and the dolphins.  I wasn’t surprised to hear Harry, the skipper, say he’d never seen so many dolphins gather around the boat for a long while!

When we got back to shore, we all went to breakfast excited and animated and the rest of the day was spent swimming and playing on the beach.

After that relaxing treat we floated on to dinner and all had an early night in anticipation of the following dawn.

WEDNESDAY

Emma, Courtney & Shaunae having fun in the surf!

Sharon, Christine, Shaunae & Emma with beaming smiles!

The ordeal that these parents go through, particularly from the time that they become aware that “Something is wrong” to the final analysis of the problem (if they’re lucky – there are so many conditions that cannot be categorized and we had 3 of these kids with us).  Then commences the search to gather knowledge and understanding and learn how to deal with it.  This severely tests the bond between the parents and some marriages have not survived the strain.  The support from siblings is invaluable and in each case, those with us maintained that they would not have managed without this support.

Catherine is 9 and has been diagnosed with Trisoma 4P – an extremely rare condition without much documented information.  At her tender young age, she has already had heart surgery, 6 operations for her hips and had an iron rod tied onto her spine to keep her back straight.

Laverne is 20 and is one of the kids with an undefined condition.  Her mom and her have an incredible non-verbal communication and synchronicity between them.  Laverne doesn’t like to partake in things if her Mom is doing them, yet she can’t bear to be too far from her for Mom very long.

These parents have been through hard and testing times and have come out on the other side understanding the Gift.  They have learnt patience and tolerance and are thankful for the lessons they’ve learnt and their blessings.  Their young Gifts are extremely, deliciously lovable – hugging constantly and kissing.  They are joyous kids and know well how to process their emotions.  If sad or angry, they vehemently express that feeling with gusto and then it’s over like a puff of wind.  The smiles are back on their faces and off they go on to their next adventure.  They live fully in the now – with little concern about what was or what is to be.  They each have their talents and it’s amazing to see these – be it weaving, drawing, dancing, singing or drumming.  They are highly intuitive, perceptive and sensitive and easily tune in to and pick up the emotions of others.  They are wise – understanding so much more than we give them credit for.

The most memorable moment of this incredible journey was during a playgroup that Courtney (our kiddies’ facilitator) led us into that afternoon.  She conducted the group showing different hand signs and we all had to sound in accordance with them.  For example, when she ran her hands outwards in a smooth movement, we all sang a long “eeeeeeeee”.  When she flashed her hands, everyone went “ee!” “ee!” “ee!”  Then we were all given a turn to get up and conduct the group.

Catherine was quietly sitting watching all this going on.  She seemed to be in her own world and it was hard to tell what was going on in her mind.  So it was to our absolute amazement, and almost causing her mom to fall off her chair, that she suddenly jumped up in front of the group and took the floor.  We were all stunned by this display and the emergence of this little girl who had stayed mostly in the background and hadn’t interacted with any of the kids until then. She delighted us all and was herself delighted by our loud and raucous applause.  Wow!  That picture will stay in our memories for the rest of our lives.

This time we woke up extra early so that we could beat the wind and get out to sea before it turned the waves choppy.  The first launch was ready just after 5am and out they went.  For the rest of us left waiting there was an air of impatience and anticipation.  We couldn’t wait for their return.  Then there they were.  When they beached the boat, the most excited was Nicholas who had had a chance to jump into the sea with his dad, Eelko, among the dolphins.  The swells were too rough for them to stay out there though and it would’ve been risky to let everyone have a turn, so with much disappointment (particularly Jean-Pierre and Kupano) they returned. 

They had encountered the dolphins not too far out so we had to rush to go out before the dolphins moved on.  Their speed in the water is incredible and they are able to swim something like 230 Kms a day so when they’re not in the mood, they don’t hang around for long.

As we were getting ready to launch, the wind was calming down and once we were on our way, the sea was not as hectic as it had been on our previous boat ride.  We headed out with the sea breeze in our faces and butterflies in our tummies.  It wasn’t long before we saw the majestic dolphins.  Then it all happened very quickly.  Harry stopped the boat and instructed us to get ready in sets of two and the first two slipped into the water.  Angie and her brother Peter were with us and they helped the kids into the water and held them until they felt safe and comfortable.  I was in the water with Peter holding Shaunae in her lifejacket in one arm, and a floating buoy in the other.  The were close to me and a group of  dolphins came right up to us, particularly an inquisitive youngster who swam right up to me and almost met me face-on. 

Shaunae didn’t really get a good look as she was a bit nervous about being out there, so she didn’t put her face in the water.  On her next round, she was more relaxed and was looking underwater with her goggles, but by then the dolphins had moved out a little further.  Little Catherine was quite at home in the water and smiled as she paddled, and once Laverne had jumped in and was swimming around with a big grin on her face, her mom Karen, who originally said that she wasn’t going to do this, couldn’t restrain herself and jumped in to join the fun too. 

There were many, many dolphins around us, but this morning they were on a mission and not sticking around to play much.  We could get a look at them in their world as they cruised below and around us.  As I got back into the boat after this lovely encounter, I felt the shivers of excitement running down my spine and the feeling of elation that this experience brings with it.  I had once again watched in awe as these graceful creatures accepted us into their domain, like no other wild creature does, and thanked them for their grace and presence.

Words can’t describe how we felt as we gathered together for our final sharing before we had to leave this lovely paradise of peace and serenity in this friendly country.  Everyone felt a little tearful as we all knew that we had just taken part in an adventure and a memorable experience that had touched us in so many ways it was hard to put into words.