On January 23rd, this year, Abby Sunderland set sail to break the age record for single-handed circumnavigation of the world in a sailboat. The record she is chasing currently belongs to her brother, Zac. Quite a family. You've probably read about her, and the name might be somewhere in the back of your mind. Pull it up, please.
Early Thursday two of her emergency beacons were triggered, and contact with her boat was lost, far at sea and hundreds of miles from any other person. Ms. Sunderland is quite alone.
This Diary is directed to her parents. I would like them to know that she is in my thoughts, and that whatever may happen - and whatever anybody else might say - I stand with them in their decision to give their daughter the gift of this opportunity.
Take a moment, people. Send a thought.
The rescue effort is underway. One of the beacons that went off is of the kind that is attached to a person or a liferaft. That's a good thing, actually. Boats - as strong as they are generally - are fragile things when the sea turns hard. Liferafts and survival suits can take serious punishment.
Reactions to this effort have... differed. I see these reactions through strange eyes.
I am a single parent to a daughter myself - now 21, and a wonderful young woman who has just returned safely from a two year adventure around the world - planes, trains and boats. So I've got a clue.
Mr. T. J. Simers, a sports columnist for the LA Times, apparently does not. And which is aside from the fact that, while his colleagues with families are generally noted as such in their LAT bios, his bio notes no such relationships.
Mr. Simers, who has - according to RawStory - accused Ms. Sunderland's parents of child abuse for allowing her this voyage (which incidentally she is quite qualified to undertake), is quoted: "Why is any 16-year-old allowed to place herself in harm's way? Why would any parent allow such a thing?"
That's a bit tame.
On his LA Times blog, Mr. Simers - in response to this post from a reader:
"I read your pitiful diatribe against the Sunderland Family. I also read your bio on the website. According to your bio, you have been pretty much hiding behind a computer since you graduated from college. Your rant against the Sunderland Family smacks of cowardice. You did not even have the courage to say it to their faces."
...had this to say:
"I tried to reach the parents the other day, but I presume they were getting their 4-year-old ready for next year's Iditarod."
How clever. Those sports writers... they sure are clever.
Strangely enough, I didn't see where Mr. Simers had anything negative to say about the successful effort at circumnavigation made by Ms. Sunderland's brother, when he was 16. Odd, that.
Mr. and Mrs. Sunderland, you have done a wonderful thing, and have raised two exceptional children.
If there is anything worth understanding about parenting, it is knowing when children are ready. Ready for whatever it might be.
However it goes with your daughter, thank you. You are heroes in your way, as your children are in theirs.
UPDATE!!!
Abby Sunderland has been found, and is apparently fine. Hat tip to therealdrlaura in the comments. Story here:
http://www.theage.com.au/...