Journey to Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Winter is an Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin who was found stranded in Mosquito Lagoon, Florida on December 10, 2005, entangled in a crab trap line. The ropes from the crab trap were inside her mouth and around her pectoral flippers, but the most significant damage was to her tail. She was estimated to be about two months old. The rescue team speculated someone just dumped their empty crab trap into the ocean, and baby Winter got stuck while investigating it. She was rescued and taken to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for rehabilitation. The rope was wrapped so tightly around her tail that she lost blood flow in that area. Over time, her tail and two vertebrae started to fall off. Because her tail had already begun to fall off, CMA had to amputate the rest of it. Despite losing her tail, Winter taught herself how to swim using a unique side-to-side motion of her body. Her determination and resilience captured the hearts of many, including me.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium worked tirelessly to find a solution to help her swim more naturally because that side-to-side swimming motion was causing her spine to curve, which could lead to paralysis. They eventually partnered with Hanger Clinic to create a custom-made prosthetic tail for Winter. They needed to find something that would stick to her wet skin, and dolphins shed a layer of skin every two hours so they needed to find something that wouldn’t irritate her skin as well. Eventually, Hanger came up with something called Winter’s Gel, which is a silicone sleeve that fits her comfortably and protects her skin. After some trial and error, Winter successfully adapted to using the prosthetic tail, allowing her to swim more like a typical dolphin. The tail was only used as a physical therapy tool to stretch out the dorsal and ventral muscles Winter wasn’t using on a daily basis. Her physical therapy also included massages and laser therapy. Those sessions with her tail quickly improved her curvature in her spine, but she always had that curve because she was still swimming from side to side most of the time.

Winter’s story gained international attention and inspired the 2011 movie “Dolphin Tale” as well as its 2014 sequel “Dolphin Tale 2,” which depicts her journey. The success of the films further elevated Winter’s status as a symbol of hope and perseverance. She became an ambassador for disabled individuals and an advocate for ocean conservation. Visitors from all over the world came to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to see Winter and learn about her incredible and inspiring story. She continues to serve as an inspiration to many, showing that with determination and support, one can overcome significant challenges.

Typically, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a rescue, rehab, release facility, but Winter couldn’t be released because she lost her tail. Even if she didn’t lose her tail, she still wouldn’t have been able to be released because she was found as an orphaned calf. Dolphins spend anywhere from 2 to 5 years learning everything they need to survive from their mom, so without her mom she didn’t have the necessary survival skills to live on her own in the wild.

Winter’s care providers liked to joke that she knew she was famous. When they were filming Dolphin Tale 2, Winter started making very loud fart noises with her blowhole until someone would pay attention to her. Everyone calls her most recognizable vocalization as “Winter’s tweety bird whistle” because that’s what it was called in the movie, and it just stuck. It sounded similar to a bird chirping, and when she got really excited or was proud of herself it would get faster and louder. That was one of my favorite things about her. I knew she was happy, and it made me smile. Winter loved interacting with guests at the underwater viewing windows, and you could practically hear her from anywhere in the aquarium. She loved when her care providers would get in the water with her. She loved lounging on pool mats. And she loved her favorite toy, which was a giant kong similar to one you would give your dog. I never got to do this, but if you whistled at her she would vocalize back.

Hope is another Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin who was rescued on December 11, 2010. She was also estimated to be about two months old, she was found swimming around her mother who had passed away and attempting to nurse from her. She was 58 pounds, just over three feet long, severely dehydrated, and stressed. Stress alone can kill a dolphin calf this young, so the stranding team had to get her to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium quickly, but calmly.

Since Hope does not have any disabilities, she does not need any physical therapy. She just needed to be rehydrated and gain weight with fish formula from a bottle until she learned how to eat fish whole. While she recovered, she was in a completely separate pool from Winter until she was healthy. Like Winter, she also loved when her care providers get into the water with her. She would even swim into their arms so they can hold her, and she liked being gently bounced like a human baby. She started showing interest in chasing raindrops, so while her care providers were cleaning her pool one day she kept following the hose. They pointed it at her, and she played with the water by letting it hit different parts of her body, chasing it, and catching it in her mouth. She’s not drinking it because dolphins get all the water they need from the fish they eat. Hope loves other kinds of enrichment devices (toys) as well, but her favorite thing by far seems to be water and bubbles.

When it was time for Winter and Hope to meet, their care providers actually showed Hope Winter’s prosthetic tail on its own first so she could get used to it. That way when Winter wore it, it hopefully wouldn’t freak Hope out. When they were together for the very first time, Winter actually laid on her side at the bottom of her pool and let Hope investigate her peduncle, which is the bone above a dolphin’s tail. Dolphin Tale 2 is centered around Hope. Their pairing in the movie was more dramatic for movie purposes, but in real life it went very smoothly. Winter and Hope quickly became almost inseparable, and so many people loved to come see them. They both have amazing stories of survival, and Winter inspired so many people with disabilities.

On October 10, 2016 I actually got to meet Winter and Hope! I saw a live video that the Clearwater Marine Aquarium did on Facebook of a girl with Cerebral Palsy who got to meet them, so I asked if someone who’s blind can as well. They replied and said no one is allowed to touch Winter, only Hope. But they gave me an email address to send them my story. I went into great detail about how I was born three months early and completely blind due to Retinopathy of Prematurity. I also had Glaucoma in both eyes, but it was so bad in my right eye I had to get it removed. I still have it in my left eye, but it’s not nearly as bad. Then I went into detail about how my mom rented Dolphin Tale on demand because she thought I would like it. I learned how to use an iPad with Voiceover in 2012, and Winter the Dolphin is the first thing I looked up on Safari and YouTube. It was clear that I loved Dolphin Tale! I knew the website had a webcam where you can see Winter and Hope, but I was very sad to find out there isn’t any sound on webcams, so I was unable to understand what was happening in the footage. I also explained how I followed CMA on Social Media, and how much I love the live videos because, unlike with the website webcam, you could actually hear Winter and Hope playing on the live video. At the end I thanked them for everything they do and said I hope to visit sometime in the future.

About three weeks later I got a response from CMA and they sent me four complementary admission tickets in the mail, but that’s not all! A few months after I sent them my story, I saw another live video of a girl who had her foot removed and she was really scared. This reminded me of the feeling I felt when I had my eye removed. I commented on that video and explained my similarities with the girl, and CMA replied thanking me for sharing and they really can’t wait to have me there. Then they contacted my mom, which she kept secret until everything was finalized. At the end of August 2016, my mom told the family that she had been in contact with a community relations Manager at CMA and they were trying to figure out how to get me to Florida. She just thought maybe they would book an experience and we would figure the traveling arrangements, but CMA told us that they were paying for our airfare, hotel room, and rental car. Additionally, on October 10, I would have an encounter with Winter and Hope to celebrate Winter’s 11th and Hope’s 6th birthdays! Tears of joy trickled down my face as my mom was reading the e-mail. I then hugged my family.

When we got to the Aquarium they hooked my family and I up with a tour guide named Eileen because I was getting a behind the scenes tour. First, she told me about a few of their sea turtle patients who were undergoing rehabilitation and have since been released. She explained that we could see in, but they couldn’t see out because the staff don’t want their rehab patients to associate humans with food. If they can’t be released for some reason, then they can start building a relationship with that animal.

After that we went into a kitchen because I was going to learn how to prepare Winter and Hope’s fish for my training session coming up. I was excited because I had never felt raw fish before. I actually didn’t mind the way they felt. There were three different types of fish and they all felt different. I would put a few fish in the bucket one at a time, and after about five I would cover them with a handful of ice. I repeated that pattern until the bucket was full, and once I got the pattern down Eileen even stepped back and let me finish on my own. When I was done I washed and sanitized the now empty bucket that once had just fish in it. I really enjoyed learning how to prepare their fish because it was very hands on and I liked the feel of the fish. After washing my hands, Eileen showed me Winter and Hope’s birthday cake. It was a bunch of enrichment devices held together with flavorless sugar free Jello, and they were going to put all the fish I prepared into it. The only toy I could make out was a cone in the middle, and it was quite heavy.

After the food prep we started walking. I heard Winter and immediately smiled and started walking faster due to excitement. We went up some stairs and finished watching a dolphin presentation with Winter and Hope. I hardly spoke because I was so focused on listening to them in person. Before I left, I was actually afraid the noise would be too loud, but I didn’t have a problem with it at all. It wasn’t time for my encounter yet, but Eileen took me to meet the trainer, named Julia, whom I would be with so I could explain what kind of things I need help with and didn’t need help with. I told her to describe anything the dolphins were doing, and that I’m open to trying anything so don’t be afraid to ask me to try something just because I can’t see. I really appreciated that they took the time to get to know me instead of just assuming I can’t do something because I can’t see. It’s rare to find people like that.

We later went into an office, which was actually an office used in the Dolphin Tale movies. There were pictures of Winter’s x-rays on the walls and of all her different tails she’s used over the years. I sat down and Eileen gave me a gift bag with plushes of Winter and Hope, a signed copy of Dolphin Tale 2, and a Clearwater Marine Aquarium shirt. Then Eileen asked my brother to help her do something, and they left the room. When they came back, she handed me something smooth and what felt like a rubber sleeve. I thought it was Winter’s Gel, and I was right! Eileen held it on my arm so I could see what it felt like, and it actually felt really comfortable. It was sticky, but just enough to stay on your skin. Then she had my brother put Winter’s prosthetic tail on my lap, and it was kind of heavy. I had never seen a dolphin before, so I didn’t really know what their tails looked like. It said Bridgestone on it because the tail itself was made of material from Bridgestone, the tire company. The texture felt like a tire, but it was in the shape of a dolphin’s tail and I thought that was really cool. Winter’s Gel goes on first, and there’s another really small part called the boot which is specifically designed to go over the bulge on Winter’s back. Then the tail goes on with a Velcro strap, and a secondary layer of Winter’s jell is attached to the tail and that goes on last. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see it on her, but I’m glad I got to see her tail at the time and they showed me how it would go on.

After that, it was finally time for my encounter! I had a small interview with the CEO at the time, David, on Facebook live and then Eileen took me down a couple big steps to the platform right next to the water. Julia was sitting on the platform while telling me where she was so I could follow her voice. I sat down next to her, and Hope was right in front of us. Julia had Hope make a few different vocalizations, and another trainer was working with Winter across the pool. She had Winter make a few different vocalizations too and that made me smile. I got to feel Hope’s dorsal fin, her tail flukes, which Winter is missing, and the bone above her tail, which is all Winter has. I gave her a belly rub, and I even felt her tongue and teeth. I fed her lots of fish by dropping them in the water in front of her, and I also gave her a hand signal to splash me a little bit. My favorite part was when Julia told me to put one finger on Hope’s forehead, and she made a really loud clicking noise that sounded kind of like a fart and it made me jump, but I was laughing.

Usually, it takes me quite a while to warm up to new animals, but the second I touched Hope for the first time I felt an immediate bond. I did get a little too excited at one point when I heard Winter in front of me, and I reached out to touch her and Julia had to put my hand back in my lap. I did get to feed her, but there wasn’t any way for me to know Winter took the fish, and I apologized for reaching out without thinking. I just moved my hand to the edge of the platform holding it up waiting for instructions, but I felt horrible. Luckily Julia understood, and she knew I was just excited and said I didn’t have to apologize, but she appreciated it. Every time I heard Winter I would turn in her direction and smile. She and Hope were both super vocal that day and I loved it!

I did get to help one of the interns put Winter and Hope’s birthday cake in the water. It was filled with all the fish I prepared. Some of the fish were sticking out of the top like birthday candles. Julia told me Winter and Hope were both eating the Jello and taking the cake apart, and they flipped it over to spill the fish out of the top. It was really cool that they were working together to take it apart and get the food out. I almost cried when I had to leave the platform because the training session was over. When I stood up, I waved good-bye to Winter and Hope, and Julia guided me to the steps. As soon as I got back to my mom, I hugged her and started crying happily.

We went back into the office for a more in-depth interview with David. He talked with my parents about how I was born premature, and I talked about losing my eye. After the interview, my tour was over. Eileen gave my brother a t-shirt and a Dolphin Tail 2 book for helping her out. I thanked her for being an amazing tour guide and for not holding me back simply because of my blindness. We’ve kept in contact ever since, and I always tell her when I’m planning to come back.

Unfortunately, my family couldn’t afford to fly back there, and I was still in high school so I was just learning how to take Uber by myself. I didn’t even think about flying by myself, but I didn’t have enough money for that either. I always watched the live videos on Facebook of Winter and Hope, and the trainers and CEO started describing what was going on and I loved that. A little over five years later, I was planning a trip to go back to CMA with my aunt. They had just expanded their dolphin habitat and taken in more residents, so I wanted to see Winter and Hope again and see their new habitat.

Unfortunately, while we were planning the trip, Winter passed away on November 11, 2021, due to a gastrointestinal infection. Nobody expected her to live very long, but she lived 16 years. I was absolutely heartbroken because I was so excited to see Winter again after five years, but I decided to still go. It was definitely too quiet without Winter constantly vocalizing, and Hope wasn’t quite acting like herself either. I knew she was sad and that made me sad. There was another dolphin with Hope named PJ. She was estimated to be 50 years old and she was partially blind, deaf, and had arthritis. She was very close with Winter, and she would swim with a frisbee-like toy suctioned to her stomach almost like a security blanket. It made me sad to see them grieving, but as soon as their care providers broke out the hose, Hope made a beeline for it and that made me feel a little better.

I had a dolphin encounter scheduled before Winter passed away, so I think I didn’t get to see Hope again because she was grieving which I totally understand. Instead, I met Nicholas! Nicholas was rescued on December 24, 2002, with his mom Noel. He was estimated to be about five months old, and he followed his mom up onto the beach. Dolphins beach themselves when they’re sick or injured, and Noel had an upper respiratory infection. Since Nicholas stayed on the beach with his mom, he suffered second- and third-degree sunburns because a dolphin’s skin isn’t adapted for prolonged exposure to the son. The water acts as a natural sunscreen for them. Three days after they were rescued and brought to CMA, Noel sadly passed away deeming Nicholas Non-releasable because he was an orphaned calf. If Noel survived, they would’ve been able to be released together.

To this day Nicholas can be identified by the scars on his back, and I actually got to feel them. They don’t hurt him at all, they’re just there as a result of his second- and third-degree burns. I got to feel them, and they felt like puffy spots on his skin. Nicholas is very similar to Winter, meaning he loves attention. When I met him, he was 19, and I still felt the same connection with him as I felt with Hope. One thing about Nicholas is that he’s notorious for splashing people. I started off giving him little splashes, and he would splash me back with his mouth. I was nervous about the bigger ones at first so we settled on the smaller splash fight to see if I would like it. After thinking about it for a few seconds, I went with it because when am I ever going to get that opportunity again? The trainer Katie had me scoot back from the edge a little and gave Nicholas a hand signal… and I was hit with waves of water from his tail! They were so strong I fell backwards and put my hands behind me to catch myself, and I was laughing really hard! I was also ok with it because they had these rubber face masks that I could wear so I didn’t breathe in water. I didn’t find this out until afterwards, but I guess Katie gave Nicholas the hand signal to stop splashing me and he wanted to keep going! That’s why I was splashed so many times! When I left the poolside, he was looking at me and vocalizing and Katie said, “Awwww he wants you to come back,” and that made me smile, but also a little sad. I think it’s safe to say I hate leaving the poolside.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium not only helps animals with disabilities, but they also help people with disabilities enjoy their time at CMA. For example, since I’m blind, they would take me to all the things I can hear and touch. My favorite place to be is at the new dolphin complex because I can hear them. If a trainer or guest services person is nearby, I would ask what’s going on and they would tell me. I think anyone with any disability should go because for me personally, it’s my home away from home. It’s one of the few places where I don’t feel excluded. I feel accepted and welcomed with open arms, and my family notices a huge change in my personality when I’m there. I’m more willing to talk to new people like it’s nothing, and I’m more outgoing. Back in 2016, my parents had to practically pull me away from the photographer after an hour because he was telling me all the behind-the-scenes facts about Winter and Hope’s rehabilitation processes!

It’s coming up on two years since Winter passed away. I’ve been to CMA pretty much once a year since then because I’ve started flying by myself. I have family that lives near Clearwater, so I just stay with them when I take a trip to CMA. Sometimes I feel sad because I wish I was confident enough to travel by myself while Winter was still here, but the important thing is I can do it now. Winter inspired so many people with her can do attitude and ability to adapt to anything new, and she even pioneered new prosthetics! People with prosthetic arms and legs are using Winter’s Gel because of how comfortable it is on their skin. I also heard of a dog with three legs that uses Winter’s Gel for her prosthetic fourth leg. I will never forget what Winter has done for the disabled community. The day I met her and Hope is a day I’ll remember for the rest of my life! It was a dream come true, and I’m overjoyed I got to see Winter while she was alive. Even though Winter is no longer with us, I still love going to CMA and I support their mission and donate whenever I can. I’m hoping to make it back sometime in 2024.