Summer 2006 programme

21st June - 27th June

with Bill & Nowdla Keefe's Wild Dolphin Adventures www.wilddolphins.com

(See Report below)

Doussin family from UK

Comments from Denise and Frederik Doussin prior to the programme:

Benoit, our son, is a loving, sensitive little boy who is very active. He needs much more structure and guidance than others of a similar age. Since he was born, he has had to overcome many difficulties including deafness due to glue ear, severe delays in speech and language and learning difficulties compounded by poor concentration. Benoit has been found to have his cranium so compressed on his head that it does not allow his brain to develop properly. Despite many visits to many specialists over the years, the cause for his difficulties has never been recognised by the traditional medical professionals. In view of this, we have sought help privately from the alternative medical sector including speech therapists, homeopath and a cranial osteopath among others.

For several years now Benoit has had a dream to swim with wild dolphins and now after all this time it has become a reality. We have been invited by ‘Operation Sunshine’ (a charitable organisation) to join them on a visit to the island of Bimini in the Bahamas for a family holiday and to swim with wild dolphins.

We wish with all our hearts to give Benoit the freedom and ability to live and choose his own life so that he can realise his own potential – probably the most sacred wish of all parents.

To date, Benoit has surpassed all expectations possible and it has certainly taken a lot of courage, energy and determination to have even got to this point.

Quotes from Denise:  

• "There is something magical that happens between children and dolphins, something that I don't think we will ever fully understand," Tabitha, the mother of Nikki a brain damaged child from Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset.
• NEWS: Dolphins unlock power of speech Monday, March 30, 1998 Published at 09:52 GMT 10:52 UK
• An eight-year-old British boy who suffered brain damage at birth has spoken for the first time after swimming with dolphins in Florida. The boy, Nikki Brice, had undergone traditional therapy without success, although doctors said he had the physical ability to speak.
• After just a few days at the Human Dolphin Therapy Centre in Miami, where children swim with the mammals, he uttered his first stumbling words.

Family from Japan

Shoei is the mother of Minga. Minga is 13 year-old girl who is called autistic.  Shoei calls Minga her angel/dolphin and says “Minga has always been my guide and she is the one who really connected me to all the dolphin people”.
Shoei is also the closest partner of a priest in Kyoto, who opened the Dolphin Healing Centre inside his temple. The priest will be joining us in Bimini with Shoei and Minga

Comments from Shoei prior to the programme:

We were told that Minga was mentally retarded when she was 3 and later we were told she was autistic. We were shocked and depressed at the beginning and did not know what to do. But of course, later we learned somehow to conquer this situation; or I should say, we all learned that there are meanings for everything. And we learned to be positive about every situation, but it did not happen over night, it took a long process. We had heard about Dolphin Therapy for autistic people. When you have a special-need child in the family, you would want to do anything to improve his or her ability. So I decided to take Minga to Hawaii and swim with wild dolphins. We were taken to the ocean by Terry Pinney, who had been working with special need children and dolphins.

I knew that children who did not speak at all, would say "Ah"  or "Oo" after the encounter with dolphins but my daughter Minga had voice, so I did not know how she would change. She used to love to watch videos so she was able to sing some kid's songs. She could only sing them by skipping words or sentences, and never perfectly. After a week session with dolphins, Minga started to sing all the songs she knew very clearly, which surprised all of us! Not only Minga, but I myself, after swimming with dolphins, had a deep change mentally and spiritually. I could not say how exactly, but many things that mattered to me changed. I felt like I only knew about such a small part of the world, and there was definitely some other worlds beyond what I knew. Meeting dolphins is a great experience for special need children and people. After the encounter with dolphins, my life changed completely. I started to meet all the dolphin related people throughout the world, and learned a lot about spirituality. It completely changed my life, and I can only thank my daughter Minga for being my guiding angel.
 

Having a special need child is a challenge, but also a great gift. I learnt that through the process which dolphins connected for me. I greatly appreciate the "Operation Sunshine" program. I will get to meet other families with autistic children on this trip, and I know all the families will benefit greatly from it. We will also be meeting the people/children on Bimini Island, and I know this encounter will benefit all of us as well. Thank you, "Operation Sunshine" ! Thank you for those who came up with this wonderful idea and thank you for those who make this trip possible for families like mine.

Eve Hanf-Enos from USA

Attending a dolphin healing conference at Regents Park in 1996 was Shizuko Ouwehand and Eve Hanf-Enos, who was 25 and autistic. She could not speak, but vocalises in grunts and noises and communicates through a computer keyboard, with the help of her mother, by a process known as facilitated writing. Eve and Shizuko had met three years earlier in Santa Fé, where Shizuko discovered that Eve was a gifted writer, expressing her thoughts in poems and prose with unusual but powerful juxtaposition of words. A book of fifteen of Eve’s poems, written in 1985 - 1991 is available from the IDW Dolphin Shop £5 + 50p p&p.

Before the conference, Shizuko had given Eve a copy of Horace’s fictional book Dilo and the Call of the Deep. She felt that Eve needed a challenge, and so she suggested that Eve should lead a group to help others who are autistic. Eve responded immediately and typed the words 'Dilo Group'. When she asked how she would do it the answer again came back instantly on the keyboard: I would like to give the gift of laughter to other people... I don’t know how — I feel groups should be about humour and dipping into mind ideas.

The Dilo Group

Information on the progress of Eve Hanf-Enos, including her poems, is available from Shizuko Ouwehand, The Dilo Group, Obriglaan 13, 1852 KA Heiloo, Netherlands. Tel/Fax 0031 72 5340016

Eve, her Carer and Guardian along with Shizuko look forward to joining us in Bimini.

Report 2006 Programme

Family therapy programmes for special needs

www.operationsunshine.org

Aims and Objectives

• Under the umbrella of International Dolphin Watch, Operation Sunshine is a not-for-profit organisation set up to provide therapy and social support for families of children with special needs.
• It is the aim of Operation Sunshine to improve the quality of life, health and social well-being for adults and children with special needs, their families and carers.
• Our goal is to offer an experience that is wholly devoted to spiritual, emotional and physical well-being.  We want to create an environment that is as relaxed, positive, open and as nourishing as possible.
• Although it is accepted that swimming with dolphins can be therapeutic, the dolphins are not the only focus of the programme. We include other activities and alternative therapies where appropriate.
• In addition to the water-based activities, we work with the local school, church and community, to encourage creativity and the exchange of culture between different countries.
• The support staff, based on their experience, gives compassion, encouragement and resources to the families. It is not any one person, dolphin or event that makes the programme a success, but an awareness, presence and openness by every participant, in every moment of the programme.

Why dolphins and why the Bahamas?

The Bahamas has warm clear waters that are far more comfortable for young children than cooler waters. Bimini is a small and intimate island where families can feel safe and secure.

Dolphin Assisted Therapy (D.A.T.) is a new field of modern medicine and is fast becoming a highly regarded form of therapy, particularly with children suffering from a range of disorders including, speech and language disorders, deafness, autism and cerebral palsy.

Why Wild Dolphins?

Operation Sunshine/International Dolphin Watch never works with dolphins in captivity. Although there is no guaranteed outcome because the dolphins are free to choose how to interact with us, there is a feeling of joy and harmony that permeates the whole environment during this form of therapy.

The dolphins are an intricate part of the Operation Sunshine Programme; we have found that they are the intimate portal assisting the families to flow to their next level of individualised openness and healing.

2006 REPORT AND OBSERVATIONS

21^st – 27^th June 2006

This year Operation Sunshine took 3 special needs families to Bimini in the Bahamas:

1. Doussin Family from Oxfordshire, England

Denise and Frederic (parents)
Benoit is 10 yrs old with brain trauma
Xavier – 2yrs

Benoit’s parents try very hard to help Benoit to reach his maximum potential, constantly questioning the medical profession/authorities, searching for alternative therapies and treatments that might help. Benoit can talk, but sometimes finds it hard to communicate.  He is very hyperactive with difficulty concentrating.

He relaxed within a caring and supportive environment in Bimini and after swimming with the dolphins seemed to be calmer and more responsive. He often came out with words of wisdom that seemed far more advanced for his age and surprised everyone. He was found to be a very loving and caring little boy with much to give and everyone warmed to him during the programme.  He enjoyed playing with other children in the swimming pool at the Big Game Hotel.  The children and local people in Bimini accepted him as “normal” – apparently that is not the case in England.  He enjoyed being given freedom, tasks and responsibility. The crew on the boat allowed him to “drive” the boat and “help” with crew activities.  Operation Sunshine aims to help the whole family as it has found that the parents and siblings often need as much support as the person with disabilities. Within a supportive environment and encouragement from the whole group, the parents relaxed and opened up more.

2. Eve from USA is in her 30s with autism

Margaret (Eve’s Guardian)
Season (Carer)

Eve cannot talk. She also has problems controlling body movements. Eve communicates by Facilitated Communication - through a keyboard with help from Margaret and Season. Through FC Eve writes the most beautiful poems and words of wisdom.

As the week went on, Eve appeared to be more responsive and keen to participate in group discussions.

3. Minga from Japan is 13 yrs. old with autism

Shoei (mother of Minga)

Minga often has difficulty speaking and communicates with movement and sounds. When Minga makes close connections with people she looks deep into their eyes as if connecting to the soul.  She is relaxed and appears to enjoy the world she is in  - enjoying the wind, rain and the sea.  Despite being called “autistic”, Shoei says, “her daughter is a gift and perfect as she is”. Some years ago after swimming with dolphins, Shoei said that not only Minga but also herself had a deep change mentally and spiritually.

Minga loved to swim in the sea and was relaxed with the dolphins.

Support Staff:

Dr. Horace Dobbs - Patron of Operation Sunshine and Director of International Dolphin Watch

Jackie Connell - Founder of Operation Sunshine and Project Manager of International Dolphin Watch

Sonya Sitton - Founder Member and assistant of Operation Sunshine, Carer, qualified massage therapist

Colette Ozanne - Operation Sunshine Assistant, Craft Master, Carer

Shizuko Ouwehand - Japanese Carer, Healer and therapist

Kokyo Ishizaki – Japanese Priest and Healer who opened the first Dolphin Healing Centre in Japan

Michael Bailey - www.planetviews.com. Film producer, Ecologist

Pat Schmidt – Watsu therapist

Note: Horace Dobbs writes about Eve, Shizuko and the Priest that opened the first Dolphin Healing Centre in Japan, in his book ‘Dolphin Healing’, published by Piatkus Books. This book can be purchased online from the IDW Shop http://www.idw.org/html/dolphin_shop.html

Activities

The dolphins were not the only focus of the programme. Other activities on offer included, art, music, dance, watsu techniques, massage, dreamtime meditations and Japanese herbal healing.

Watsu Techniques

Watsu techniques are used to allow the participant to let go of life's turmoil and challenges and become one with self and the flow of the water.  Allows for more self-acceptance, which opens the door to tolerance of others.  The technique provides a safe and supported environment where the body can physically relax and move with the gentle flow of the water that surrounds the body. The body is gently stretched and flexed releasing built up tensions.  The release allows for an at-oneness with the water and the self.

Three Sisters Rocks

3 Sisters Rocks are just off the Coast of Bimini North Island. In shallow water the group could see many colourful fish and coral. It was found to be an excellent place to unwind, relax, to get used to life jackets/floats for those that needed them, using snorkel equipment and being in the open sea before heading off on the first Wild Dolphin Adventure.

Atlantis Bimini Road

The group enjoyed hearing about the mysteries of Atlantis and the Bimini Road – explained by Kathy our Boat Captain. They then had time to snorkel and see for themselves what lie below. Please see http://www.biminiundersea.com/atlantis.htm

Healing Hole

Some in the group asked to visit The Healing Hole. Ebbie, local fisherman and restaurant owner, escorted the group through the mangroves to the Healing Hole at the eastern most end of North Bimini. It is a natural phenomenon where a section of the creek is connected to an underground labyrinth of narrow tunnels. On the out going tide, cold water with a very high mineral content flows out of these tunnels and into the creek. Many people believe that these waters have healing powers. Some believe that the "Healing" is mystical. Others just believe that the minerals themselves have an analgesic effect. Please see http://www.biminiundersea.com/healing.htm

Bimini Art Centre

Previous activities at the Bimini Art Centre have included pit firing on the beach, tie dying T-shirts and teaching local children how to make cane baskets. This year, hosted by Annett Saunders, the group worked with clay. Benoit enjoyed being given the freedom to create his own piece.  Building a tree, garden and house, he resolved problems by working out how to make the tree stand up by adding extra pieces of clay to the trunk and base.

The group created a clay plaque and each person was able to add their own personal touch, such as dolphins, hearts, roses, cutting out shapes, finger prints, personal inscriptions. Denise Doussin, the mother of Benoit, enjoyed reconnecting with her artistic talents and spoke about developing that further when she got home. The group worked together to create a beautiful clay plaque in memory of Annett’s sister – Carolyn Burke who lost her life in a plane crash December 2005.

Following this year’s successful programme, Annett wants to continue that support - see message from Annett:

Dearest Jackie

You are truly a bringer of light and are appropriately suited to the Operation Sunshine program.  I enjoyed having everyone at the Bimini Art Centre and felt warmly surrounded with the love they felt for the children and were ready to give.... I think the projects are definitely guided by a higher power and I will continue to care for and finish the wall plaque.  When it gets done I will find a place to put it up on the building and proudly remember the giving and creative attitudes of the contributors... I will not soon forget Benoit and I know that God must have a special place for him in the future...I truly felt like the project went well and even though I felt I could have shared more about the Art Centre with the group I don't feel so confident yet that it wouldn't have ended in my tears and I didn't want to bring that to the group.  There is always a creative spirit in us if we are willing to reach for it and think about what we want to express.  I felt like the group worked well together and had a good time doing the clay project.

Much love and well wishes for your continued success and you will hear from me about the progress of the piece.  I am in hopes that some connection can be made for further interaction from your world to ours by internet.  I think the conservation project is wonderful and even though we have done many projects about that much needed activity in Bimini we continue to need support for the conservation of our environment.  I don't think the adults are very aware of their part in the care of our little island so it is no wonder the children have a hard time learning and caring about the conservation of our resources.  It must continue to be taught so that the next generations will be more caring of our environment and help to protect and care for it... I think Ashley is setting a wonderful example with his teaching of agriculture and use of the natural resources, he is a marvel...

Go with God and may peace be with you.

On we go

Annett

The Dolphin House

Ashley Saunders is School Teacher and Author of ‘History of Bimini’. Ashley invited our Operation Sunshine group to The Dolphin House. In his presentation, Ashley talked about how he was inspired by Dr. Horace Dobbs and the dolphins. He said that the dolphins had completely changed his outlook on life, making it more spiritual and meaningful.

Ashley has created the Dolphin House – a masterpiece of craftsmanship, incorporating artwork, and dolphin mosaics using recycled materials.  He has created 2 CDs about The Dolphin House: Volume 1 – Construction. Volume 2 – Discover the Dolphin House, a chronology since 1993, a detailed journey through the artwork in the interior of The Dolphin House.

Ashley also writes poems and has produced a record entitled ‘Bimini Fire and Water’. A CD/Book of his poems is currently being created – a percentage of proceeds from sales will go to Operation Sunshine/International Dolphin Watch.

For further information about The Dolphin House, copies of the CDs, bookings and reservations – contact Ashley Saunders, Alice Town, Bimini, Bahamas. Phone 242 347 3201, Email: ashleysaunders2@yahoo.com

Music and Dance

In the book ‘Dolphin Healing’ by Horace Dobbs, he writes about the first Ki and Dolphin Healing Centre that was opened in 1992 at the Myoren-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan. ‘The Dolphin Song’ was written in Japanese for the opening ceremony. The song was to be free to spread love, joy and peace throughout the world.

This song has now been given to ‘Operation Sunshine’.  An  English version has been composed to help raise funds for special needs families to participate in future Programmes. 

Those with special needs often find it easier to communicate through self expression using art, music and dance. Shizuko Ouwehand facilitated a music and body movement playshop during the 2006 programme in Bimini. The Japanese and English version of The Dolphin Song was shared with a prayer to bring love joy and peace throughout the world.

After the programme

Observations

From observations and feedback received, it has shown that participants have benefited in different ways: Some have reported a more heightened spiritual awareness since swimming with dolphins; For some the programme has given them a greater insight into their aspirations and dreams; Others have reported have more energy or physical abilities that were not there before the programme; We have seen an increase in confidence and communication skills; We have also learnt a lot from the programmes and comments received have enabled us to move forward for the benefit of others.

Benoit’s progress since the programme in Bimini
by Denise Doussin

“All of our family have been moving forward since this amazing experience. We were all on a high when we got back from Bimini, though I was feeling very exhausted having to deal with my own tiredness and that of the children and run the household. 

 Watching Benoit the other day, he made some beautiful catches in cricket and French cricket (a variation on the game which is easier to play with less players). He makes a shape of a funnel with his hands while trying to catch a ball now, something he wasn’t doing before the programme. He wants to play other sports, like tennis, and his aim is remarkably good at times. An improvement, considering he was marked as poor in co-ordination by an Occupational Therapist, two weeks before he went to Bimini, when he had a full analysis of his skills, spatial, balance and co-ordination.

We believe his co-ordination has improved and his ability to question and respond more appropriately to questions posed”.

It seems since returning back from Bimini we have all moved forward in subtle ways.  Frederic seems to be finding his feet better and having the courage to say what he believes in and speak about it to others even at a family gathering. Something he found harder to do than at a gathering with strangers.

I have also noticed in me, words of wisdom coming out regarding the indigo children and crystal children and realising how I wish to work with these children and why.  I know it is truly my path to work with these children and enable them to find their own unique way forward.

So my dreams or aspirations are now beginning to unfold too.

Frederic has been having many dreams about dolphins and the Japanese family. Some of the dreams have one or two profound messages through them too.

On returning home – Shoei wrote:

“The best part of the programme was the encounters with dolphins, and sharing thoughts with other people in the group. It was so fulfilling.   Dolphins brought us many changes in consciousness, and behaviour in Minga’s case. 

She used to eat lunch very slow at school, but now, she is very clear about what to eat and not to eat, so she finishes her lunch first among all, and go play at the trampoline.  She seems not to be wasting her time.   And her energy level has been kept very high”.

A PowerPoint presentation with photographs on CD of this year’s Operation Sunshine Programme is available now by making a small donation to cover costs – if you would like a copy please contact Jackie Connell via Email Jackie.connell@ntlworld.com. 

A copy of the video is available by making a donation + pp to Operation Sunshine.

Minga looking for the dolphins

Dolphins close up

Eve doing Facilitated Communication

Eve at the Bimini Art Centre

Dolphins from the boat

Dolphins all around

Getting into the water

Benois and clay