It is an incredible story about an amazing woman, achieving an impossible feat.
My mother heard about her when I was a kid, and I knew her name from news when I was a mother myself.
Epic. And Real Life.
Dianne Nyad, american long distance swimmer, swam not pools but great bodies of water –around Manhattan, the Bahamas, the English Channel, and maybe most famously (and daringly), between Cuba and Key West, Florida.
Jellyfish and sharks anyone?
I watched with my kids, all of us inspired that this was real life, not a Marvel adventure (beloved as those are).
Though I sensed a possible problem with the swim coach, or, started to hope there wouldn’t be one–hey, it’s real life.
In a scene where Dianne is resting on a couch between swim meets, the Coach suggests she sleep in a bedroom. In later scenes we learn the Coach indeed abused her. Maybe others. Maybe many others.
Yet another reminder that wherever children are, the danger exists. Don’t kid yourself.
So, unexpected turn, but a great teachable moment.
It’s easy to think “historic cases,” are resolved and abuse in sports clubs, scouts, or anywhere where kids are isn’t a problem today.
Sadly, this is not Reality. But we can do more than we think.
I work with many organisations and all are eager for enough hands to get the activities or programmes done.
In my experience, prevention is rarely on the radar untill after questionable incidents or downright violations.
Whatever you do, don’t close your eyes. You have more power than you realize.
4 Quick Tips to Help Protect Kids:
1. Ask Questions – How are (volunteer) staff screened? What protocols are in place?
Don’t take the safety of your kids for granted. There is nothing wrong with asking some questions. You might be helping more kids than your own. And the staff too.
2. Talk to your kids about CSA, p*rn exposure, etc., BEFORE you think you need to.
If you wait till they’re ready, you’re too late.
Need tips? Check Defend Young Minds, and Fight the New Drug (FTND)
*fyi, exposure to p*rnography can make children and youth more susceptible to dangerous situations. And with almost every kid having a smartphone in their hand at increasingly earlier ages, this is a Real Thing.
3. Be a safe parent, as best you can.
Let your kids know, no matter what, that anything they may experience, they can tell you. And that it’s not their fault. I know too many stories of adults who’d rather take something to their grave than tell.
Shame is an evil Silencer.
4. Realize society doens’t make it easy for boys (or men) to share or be vulnerable about anything innappropriate they experienced.
Aside from, “man up,” and “boys don’t cry,” there is also “lucky you!” if eg a female teacher, babysitter, family member, neighbor, etc. makes a move on a male youth.
Don’t forget the boys.
So, need a movie tip? Or an opportunity?
Here comes unexpected help from Netflix for talking to your kids about these issues?
Watch NYAD with them! The incident is not the defining element at all, but simply it’s a movie about the indomitable human spirit and the ability to achieve the impossible, even in your later years.
10 points.
