Witnessing the Florida-based English Family celebrating in the San Diego sunshine you would never imagine the dark skies they have had to travel through.
Emily, pictured second from the right, had been complaining of aches and pains in her throat, but before her parents could get her to a doctor, tragedy struck. Out of nowhere, a a tornado suddenly bared down on the family home and ripped right through the center of the house and the property. The house and, significantly, the family sailboat were completely destroyed.
Given the magnitude of this tragedy, Emily put her health concerns on the back burner while her family focused on rebuilding.
When her symptoms worsened she visited a doctor who delivered more bad news for the family. Emily had Hodgkin’s lymphoma – a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects the lymphatic system.
The Kids Wish Network learned of Emily and an wanted to offer compassion and respite for the embattled family. The Kids Wish Network promotional material explains that the 501 (C) non-profit is an “organization dedicated to granting the wishes of children between the ages of 3 and 18 who are living with life threatening illnesses.” Their mission is “to fulfill the last wishes of children who will never have the opportunities that most of us take for granted.”
Emily has endured four rounds of chemotherapy.
Before the tornado and cancer, Emily taught sailing on a local river. When her health and her family’s boat was taken from her, she dreamed of sailing again, not just on the local river, but out in wide open water.
Two Coronado businesses, Aolani Catamaran Sailing and Kristen Vincent Photography, made this dream come true.
It’s not really surprising that Aolani Catamaran Sailing fulfilled this dream for Emily, because Aolani is itself is built on dreams.
Lindsay Maphet, who serves as Marketing Director, explained that Aolani Catamaran was envisioned by her father, and long-time Coronado resident, Bruno Schwarz, during a Hawaiian vacation. Observing all the happy tourists clamoring to go sailing off the Hawaiian coast in a catamaran, he realized that he could and would create a similar experience on the San Diego Bay.
And that’s what happened. Aolani Catamaran Sailing, founded in 2001, conducts private charters for business and individual customers. Weddings, engagements, business events, celebratory events, and burials-at-sea, all take place on Aolani Catamarans.
Lindsay explained that her Dad grew-up with boats and owned a lot of boats – too many to even count: “Sailing was a passion and a joy for him – it’s not really work.”
Lindsay, CHS Class of 2006, is passionate about sailing and the business as well. Indeed, she grew-up with the family business.
In her last year of middle school, when Aolani was founded, she couldn’t believe her luck: She was getting paid to be out sailing on the Bay. She served as a crew member – walking around and offering hospitality. Lindsay said she remembers thinking “this is really fun and I’m getting paid for it, how could it be possible?”
Working out in the sunshine and on the big, blue waters of San Diego Bay, Lindsay said she realized that, “you can make your dreams a reality.” She continued, “There is no way I could work at something that I don’t have a strong passion for.”
Kristen, of Kristen Vincent Photography, accompanied the special event and donated her photography to Emily.
Hoping for the best possible images, Kristen explained that at first the sun wasn’t co-operating, but then, as if on cue, the clouds parted and Emily was treated to beautiful San Diego sunshine.
Kristen said of her experience: “It was awesome. Emily’s face lit up once they started sailing. She even did the ‘Titanic Moment.’ ” Kristen said she and Emily had fun brainstorming on how Emily could make it back to San Diego soon.
Kristen took pictures during the sail, and then afterwards with family. She then generously gave the digital photos to the family free of cost.
This is the second time in the past couple of months that Coronado residents and businesses have supported dream wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses. In May, the Coronado Yacht Club, The Coronado Cays Yacht Club, and the Navy Yacht club raised money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. You can read more about this event here.
These experiences bring joy to all involved: recipients, dream-funders, and dream-providers. We can only imagine when and where Coronado will receive the next opportunity to make a child’s dream come true.
