“Bentwing”
is a notorious local endangered brown pelican – with a handicap.
One wing is bent, with feathers sticking out at odd angles. He manages
to fly and hunt, but with great difficulty. Bentwing was born with
his handicap and couldn’t keep up with other young pelicans. Poor
Bentwing was often excluded from pelican games and gatherings, causing
him to become a loner who laboriously hunted on his own.
One
day while following baitfish on the surface of the sea, Bentwing
noticed a fishing boat which appeared to be searching for the
same thing, so Bentwing guided them to the action. Fishing was
good for the boaters, who repaid his kindness with a fish. So
began an illustrious career for Bentwing… helping fisherfolk and
being repaid with fish.
Included
in one group of fishers Bentwing helped, was a very appreciative
veterinary surgical team. They offered to surgically repair the
bent wing, but after much thought, Bentwing declined because he
was happy having found a way to be useful and accepted by making
his handicap his strength.
We
want to use this story to help encourage our handicapped, disabled
and impaired passengers to find ways to be useful, accepted and
valued members of society. To make the Bentwing story a part of
our curriculum, we will make each excursion a virtual search for
Bentwing because we owe him a favor for helping us on a recent
fishing trip. We will search the harbor throughout our excursion
-- making our educational talks items of interest during our search
for Bentwing -- thereby adding to the sense of adventure and purpose
for our passengers.
Yes,
Bentwing does exist and we see him around the harbor frequently.
Our chances of spotting him on any given excursion are good. We
may embellish his story somewhat, but no more so than any good
and beneficial fish story. Our story will teach courage and resourcefulness
and is intended to help folks find ways to grow and to feel good
about themselves.
