Page 5 - CMTeen_Volume2_Issue1

The CMTeen outing in Miami, Florida, was an incredible experience for everyone involved.
The day started with getting to know each other in the lobby of the hotel. Once we got to the Miami

Seaquarium, we helped each other walk to the spot where we ate lunch.

After a delicious hot dog and chips, we went to a whale show. At the whale show we didn’t want to walk
up the stairs for a seat, so we sat in the first row in the splash zone! We all got soaked by a huge killer

whale’s splash!

We dried off in the Florida sun as we walked around and saw other animals from penguins to stingrays.
Then the best part of the day came: the dolphin swim. We squeezed into wetsuits and took off our shoes

and leg braces, then jumped in to pet the dolphins, watch them do tricks, shake their flippers, and even

kiss them! We were able to see them up close and personal and feel how strong they actually are even
though they seem like such delicate creatures. We all bonded through that amazing experience, but there

was more. We got to meet a dolphin with scoliosis, Luna. It was inspiring to see a dolphin work hard to
overcome a disability and try hard to jump out of the water and do the best she could. Luna reminded us all

that even though we have a disability, we can still do what others do even though we might not be the best.

After all that fun we were tired, but the night was not over yet. We changed into our luau attire and took a

van to a breathtaking beach party. There were hamburgers and chicken kabobs, a D.J. playing music and
even an ice cream bar with the most amazing toppings. When the night was over, we had all made some

incredible friends who will always understand what we mean when we say “my legs hurt.”

*Maddie, 13, lives in Houston.

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