MARIA JOSE RODRIGUEZ COETO'S SPECIAL NEEDS DOLPHIN INTERACTION
Since April, 1996, Living From The Heart has been donating time and Dolphin
Discovery has been donating their facility to provide dolphin encounters
for Maria Jose Rodriguez Coeto. During the 22 dolphin encounters from April
29-July 31, the dolphins at Dolphin Discovery interacted with Maria with
no prompting or rewards. In effect, the dolphins have also donated their
time.
Maria was born on May 10, 1996 with a diagnosis of mild sub-cortical atrophy
predominantly on the left side, resulting in mild retardation in the development
of motor, adaptive and language areas. The above encounters for Maria evolved
from the purpose of Living From The Heart to be of service.
The results of commitment to service and the dolphins' collaboration freely
giving of their time has resulted in what you will hear today. Maria was
introduced to Cathy Anderson in December of 1995, which was the beginning
of this collaboration.
The video portion of the presentation is the process that was recorded during
these 22 encounters. As you see, these encounters are unique. They have
been a collaborative union comprised of Living From The Heart, Dolphin Discovery,
Cathy Anderson, the dolphins, Maria and her family. Our intention has been
simply for Maria to interact with dolphins. We had no expectations as to
how this interaction would affect Maria's symptoms. This collaboration with
Maria exemplifies the definition of holistic health: "A state of well
being where one's mind, body, spirit and emotions exist in harmony with
the physical, social and cosmic environment." The collaborative effort
of the aforementioned parties freely donating their time and facilities
has resulted in creating the environment for this state of well being to
occur.
Maria and her family are present at the symposium to answer questions.
Shelley Friend has a B.S. in Holistic Health and is Program Director of
Living From The Heart. She has facilitated dolphin wellness trips on Isla
Mujeres, Mexico since May of 1995. Since that time 200 people have attended
Living From The Heart wellness awareness trips highlighted by swimming with
dolphins. Shelley is a Reiki Master and practices reflexology which she
incorporates in her facilitation of these groups.
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