By Nick Diamantides, Staff Writer
Six pediatric rehabilitation patients and nine of their family members got to sail through inner Long Beach Harbor last week (August 28) as part of the Miller Children’s Hospital “Sailors for a Day” program. The young patients, ranging from 5 to 20 years old, had the opportunity to help sail the boats on the round trip from United States Sailing Club (USSC) headquarters in Alamitos Bay.
“We invite some of the same patients who participate in the Pilot for a Day program,” said Dora Harviston, Miller Hospital physical therapist. “It’s another great experience for them because it helps them with their self-esteem and social development.” She explained that some of the kids had been hospitalized for a long time and need fun activities to transition them back into an active social life.
Last week’s sailing cruise was preceded by a 15-minute orientation during which USSC instructors described some of the basics of sailing. All passengers were required to wear life jackets. An experienced sailor was in charge of each boat and the kids were told to obey his or her instructions in order to maximize safety and fun.
Ten-year-old Justyn Angel Vetere was one of the sailors for a day. Her mother, Victoria Lee Scott, explained that three years ago, Vetere came down with menningococcia, an airborne bacterial infection that usually kills its victims within six hours.
“She had flu-like symptoms and black spots all over her body so I rushed her to the emergency room at Miller’s,” said Lee Scott. “They identified it and drew it out of her body, but she still had to spend four months in an intensive care unit.”
The doctors expected that Vetere would suffer brain damage from the infection and lose her hands and feet, but none of that happened. “She’s a sole survivor,” Lee Scott said. “Most people who get this disease die from it.”
Now Vetere attends 5th grade at Naples Bay Side Academy and has become adept at ballet as well as jazz and tap dancing.
“I didn’t really feel any pain when I was sick, but I was scared,” Vetere said. “I was having scary dreams.”
Her mother added that Vetere still takes medication to counteract the after-effects of the infection and doctors do not know how long that will be necessary.
Last week was Vetere’s third time on a “Sailors for a Day” excursion. “I like sailing a lot,” she said, adding that it will probably be something she does for the rest of her life.
Miller’s Children Hospital and USSC have offered the sailing excursion to young patients for several years. “United States Sailing Center was formed after the 1984 Olympics as a place to train for Olympic sailing,” said Glennon Stratton, USSC program development director. “Since then it has become a non-profit organization and gone beyond its original scope.”
He explained that in addition to teaching Olympic sailing, he conducts classes for high school and collegiate sailing. In addition, the center offers programs in partnership with several hospitals and other organizations that provide medical and social services to adults and children.
Stratton noted that hundreds of people of all ages sail on boats owned by USSC. “We have a staff of six and hundreds of volunteers,” he said, noting that people donate their time to sail the boats, conduct fund-raising events, and do much of the other work necessary to keep the center running. “Without the volunteers we would not be able to operate,” he said.
One of the volunteers, Jim Drury, comes regularly to sail the boats. “I enjoy doing this for the kids,” he said. “It’s great to see how happy they are when they discover how to control the boat.”
Stratton agreed. “It’s awesome to see the smiles on their faces,” he said. “It’s a pleasure to expose children as well as adults to something good that they might not otherwise ever do.”
USSC is located on the Alamitos Bay Peninsula and offers a wide range of activities and boats for its programs. For more information, phone (562) 433-7939.
