Leal Health: Lessons Learned from Winter the Dolphin

In my first week as the Chief Marketing Officer of Clearwater Marine Aquarium, I donned a wetsuit and got in the water with Winter. Yes, THE Winter – an Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin made famous by the Dolphin Tale movies – which starred Harry Connick, Jr, Morgan Freeman, Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Ashley Judd, Austin Highsmith and Nathan Gamble – and of course, Winter. Winter’s forever home was the aquarium, as she could not be released into the wild. Rescued near Cape Canaveral and brought to CMA in Clearwater, Florida – she fought and fought and fought – and against all odds - survived. As an IRONMAN athlete, I fully expected to be able to beat Winter in a swim race across her habitat. Winter lost her tail after getting it wrapped in a crab trap as a baby – and during my race against her she would not be wearing her prosthetic tail!

As soon as the race started, I realized two things. First, Winter loves people. Secondly, despite not having a tail, she was going to easily beat me! I swam as hard as I could as she playfully swam around me – yes around me – above and below me! As I got to the end of her habitat – we both stopped and looked each other - directly in the eyes. It was the beginning of a remarkable relationship - a friendship, I dare say. I saw Winter almost every day for 5 ½ magical years.

My last day working at CMA was emotional. I was about to have surgery again and would soon be starting chemotherapy and immunotherapy for my fifth bout with cancer. It was also a goodbye to a very special dolphin. That day, I donned swim goggles, grabbed some fish, laid down with my head in the water – and looking her directly in the eye, fed her. It seemed as if she had a sixth sense about the reasons for my overflowing emotions. We held that gaze for the entirety of the time I fed her. I then got out – and said good-bye to her, with tears in my eyes. Winter had been a big part of my life – inspiring me daily. I still miss her.

The lessons I learned from Winter the Dolphin helped me immensely in my cancer fight.

1) Never give up. Winter never gave up her fight to live. Surviving the first few months after being orphaned, rescued and losing her tail only happened because she kept fighting. Despite odds greater than one in a million, she lived. This taught me that in my cancer battle – the odds don’t count – so I should never give up. If Winter could fight, I can fight.

2) Live to inspire others. Every day, kids missing limbs, kids fighting cancer, wounded warriors, and those suffering emotional issues came to visit Winter. Winter’s story of perseverance inspired others to push themselves through difficult times. One of the reasons why I fight – is to be like Winter. I try to inspire others by the simple act of fighting my cancer!

3) Build relationships with your Care Team. Winter’s Care Team loved her. Why? Winter took part in building those relationships. Watching Winter get cuddled and splashing and playing with that Care Team made it clear that she loved her caregivers. They loved her back. Winter received amazing care and love from this Team, and they from her. I build relationships with my Care Team, too. This allows for great communication and collaboration, as well as an open dialog and fosters a thriving relationship.

4) Physical challenges should not define you. Winter, a dolphin without a tail, was not defined by her disability, but instead defined by her ability. While not having a tail and being orphaned prevented her from living in the wild, she lived a life that gave others joy and happiness. I strive not to be defined as the immunocompromised person with incurable cancer. I want to be defined by what I am able to do to help others because of my cancer.

5) Always have hope. I played hide and seek with Hope every morning.. Hope is another rescued dolphin who was brought to CMA on the final day of filming of the first Dolphin Tale movie. Winter did have hope and Hope. And unknowingly, hope is what Winter provided me. An injured dolphin surviving and thriving and inspiring others. I watched Winter and realized no matter how challenging my cancer battles were and are – there is always hope.

While Winter is now in dolphin heaven, what she taught me is still with me. When it’s my turn to go to heaven, I want to be remembered like Winter…for inspiring others, providing hope, never giving up and for the relationships I have built. While I’m almost certain there will not be a movie made about me and my life, my goal is to help others in their cancer journey, by example…both mine and Winter’s.

Bill Potts is a Five-Time Cancer Survivor and Author of the book “Up for the Fight. How to Advocate For Yourself as You Battle Cancer.” Available wherever books are sold