Winter the dolphin was only 2 years old when rescuers found her with a crab trap line wrapped so tightly around her tail it was cutting off the circulation to her flukes. Unfortunately, this led to the eventual loss of her tail. In most cases, dolphins can’t survive without their flukes. When Winter first arrived at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, her caregivers worried about her overall health. The infection that had taken over her tail due to loss of circulation was spreading, and if it reached her spinal cord, they knew she would die. Fortunately, her spinal cord remained untouched. Winter adapted to her situation, but then a new problem arose. Without flukes, Winter began moving her body side-to-side to swim, which caused scoliosis in her spine. However, an expert created a custom prosthetic tail for her, enabling her to swim normally again without impacting her spine. Since then, Winter has thrived! The story of what Winter went through, her struggle to recover, and how she fought to live has inspired thousands of people. Children and adults who have lost their limbs or were born with disabilities travel from around the world to meet her. She encourages people to keep fighting, and A Tail That Inspired Thousands Winter the Dolphin
Photo Credit: Clearwater Marine Aquarium
many feel that if Winter could overcome her obstacles, they can, too. There was even a film made about her called “Dolphin Tale.” In fact, many of the scenes from the movie were shot at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and Winter starred as herself. The film captures her triumphant story and chronicles how she inspires people around the world. To learn more about Winter, read inspirational stories, or donate to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, visit CMAquarium.org. And, of course, “Dolphin Tale” is a great film for your next movie night!
KEEP THE FUN IN APRIL FOOLS’
AND STAY SAFE WHEN YOU’RE ON FOOT
Cross at intersections. Most pedestrian- vehicle collisions happen on the open road. It can be tempting to take a shortcut on your route, or jaywalk, but it’s not worth the risk! Stay visible at night. Fatal collisions are much more likely to occur at night. If you’re going to be on foot when darkness descends, make sure to wear visible clothing and never assume a driver can see you. Be more vigilant in urban areas. In cities like St. Louis, pedestrians can cover a lot of ground on foot while avoiding traffic. But knowing that 80% of pedestrian deaths occur in urban areas can help you stay vigilant while you’re out on foot enjoying this wonderful city.
April kicks off with a trickster’s favorite holiday — April Fools’ Day — and it brings warmer weather, beckoning people outdoors to stretch their legs and shake off winter. When it comes to your friends, family, or coworkers, a playful prank can be good fun, but you never want to play the fool in some areas of life! If you find yourself venturing outside more, running errands on foot to enjoy the fresh air while avoiding traffic, or just getting some exercise on a pleasant neighborhood walk, don’t be fooled into thinking you always have the right-of- way or that all drivers see you. As a pedestrian, you’re much more likely to sustain severe injuries if you’re involved in a collision with a vehicle. Luckily, you can take many precautions to avoid this situation.
If the worst should happen and a vehicle strikes you as a pedestrian, remember you have recourse to get compensation and hold the inattentive driver liable. These cases can be more complicated than collisions involving two vehicles, so don’t be fooled into thinking it’s best to go it alone. Hiring a skilled injury attorney can help ensure you get the compensation you deserve and that the accident doesn’t devastate you financially. After calling 911, gather as much information as possible from the driver and any witness, get medical treatment, and then reach out to the team at Finney Injury Law. We know how devastating these accidents can be, and we don’t want you to deal with the consequences of a negligent driver’s actions alone.
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