I’d like you to consider how is a wave born right I’m gonna give you some
born right I’m gonna give you some
born right I’m gonna give you some surfer lingo to illustrate this so
surfer lingo to illustrate this so
surfer lingo to illustrate this so you’re laying on the beach on a blanket
you’re laying on the beach on a blanket
you’re laying on the beach on a blanket right you’re looking up at the sky and
right you’re looking up at the sky and
right you’re looking up at the sky and you go whoa there’s like this giant ball
you go whoa there’s like this giant ball
you go whoa there’s like this giant ball of fire our Sun and its radiating heat
of fire our Sun and its radiating heat
of fire our Sun and its radiating heat down on to the earth and then that
down on to the earth and then that
down on to the earth and then that creates wind events which might be a
creates wind events which might be a
creates wind events which might be a hurricane and that sends out energy
hurricane and that sends out energy
hurricane and that sends out energy swells for thousands of miles across the
swells for thousands of miles across the
swells for thousands of miles across the ocean today my talk has a similar story
ocean today my talk has a similar story
ocean today my talk has a similar story my daughter Piper was born on October
my daughter Piper was born on October
my daughter Piper was born on October 5th 2007 and I’ll never forget the first
5th 2007 and I’ll never forget the first
5th 2007 and I’ll never forget the first time I looked into those beautiful
time I looked into those beautiful
time I looked into those beautiful little blue eyes and I made a promise to
little blue eyes and I made a promise to
little blue eyes and I made a promise to myself that day that I would do anything
myself that day that I would do anything
myself that day that I would do anything and everything that I could to protect
and everything that I could to protect
and everything that I could to protect her and keep her healthy as long as I
her and keep her healthy as long as I
her and keep her healthy as long as I lived I never thought it would be a
lived I never thought it would be a
lived I never thought it would be a question of how long she lived but the
question of how long she lived but the
question of how long she lived but the time Piper was 4 years old
time Piper was 4 years old
time Piper was 4 years old she was struggling she’d been in and out
she was struggling she’d been in and out
she was struggling she’d been in and out of the doctors on multiple rounds of
of the doctors on multiple rounds of
of the doctors on multiple rounds of antibiotics and I can remember lying
antibiotics and I can remember lying
antibiotics and I can remember lying awake in the room next to hers at night
awake in the room next to hers at night
awake in the room next to hers at night tormented by the sound of this deep
tormented by the sound of this deep
tormented by the sound of this deep heavy wet cough that she had at her next
heavy wet cough that she had at her next
heavy wet cough that she had at her next doctor’s appointment it was at that time
doctor’s appointment it was at that time
doctor’s appointment it was at that time that they did a chest x-ray which
that they did a chest x-ray which
that they did a chest x-ray which revealed she had pneumonia this not
revealed she had pneumonia this not
revealed she had pneumonia this not being common for a four-year-old girl
being common for a four-year-old girl
being common for a four-year-old girl they suggested that she be tested for
they suggested that she be tested for
they suggested that she be tested for cystic fibrosis now I had no idea what
cystic fibrosis now I had no idea what
cystic fibrosis now I had no idea what cystic fibrosis was and many of you may
cystic fibrosis was and many of you may
cystic fibrosis was and many of you may not but at that time I kind of thought
not but at that time I kind of thought
not but at that time I kind of thought well this is a preliminary measure and I
well this is a preliminary measure and I
well this is a preliminary measure and I blew it off a couple weeks later I was
blew it off a couple weeks later I was
blew it off a couple weeks later I was on my way to work when I got the call it
on my way to work when I got the call it
on my way to work when I got the call it was Piper’s mom and she was on the phone
was Piper’s mom and she was on the phone
was Piper’s mom and she was on the phone in tears and she said Piper’s tested
in tears and she said Piper’s tested
in tears and she said Piper’s tested positive for cystic fibrosis
positive for cystic fibrosis
positive for cystic fibrosis and I got off the phone and I pulled
and I got off the phone and I pulled
and I got off the phone and I pulled over on the side of the road and I hung
over on the side of the road and I hung
over on the side of the road and I hung my head and I was stunned and I was
my head and I was stunned and I was
my head and I was stunned and I was shocked and that quickly turned into
shocked and that quickly turned into
shocked and that quickly turned into anger and rage and I pounded the
anger and rage and I pounded the
anger and rage and I pounded the steering wheel and I thrashed around
steering wheel and I thrashed around
steering wheel and I thrashed around inside the car and mindlessly until I
inside the car and mindlessly until I
inside the car and mindlessly until I was just exhausted in tears I drove to
was just exhausted in tears I drove to
was just exhausted in tears I drove to work I parked I went in directly to the
work I parked I went in directly to the
work I parked I went in directly to the restroom and I looked myself in the
restroom and I looked myself in the
restroom and I looked myself in the mirror to try to clean myself up
mirror to try to clean myself up
mirror to try to clean myself up and what I was looking at was not me it
and what I was looking at was not me it
and what I was looking at was not me it was a totally different human being and
was a totally different human being and
was a totally different human being and as I walked out of the bathroom
as I walked out of the bathroom
as I walked out of the bathroom the first co-worker that I saw was a
the first co-worker that I saw was a
the first co-worker that I saw was a good friend of mine named Lottie and
good friend of mine named Lottie and
good friend of mine named Lottie and when she looked at me she said Travis
when she looked at me she said Travis
when she looked at me she said Travis what’s wrong and it was at that moment
what’s wrong and it was at that moment
what’s wrong and it was at that moment that for the first time in my life I was
that for the first time in my life I was
that for the first time in my life I was so saddened and so heartbroken and
so saddened and so heartbroken and
so saddened and so heartbroken and devastated I just couldn’t speak and she
devastated I just couldn’t speak and she
devastated I just couldn’t speak and she hugged me and I cried in her arms the
following days and weeks and months were
following days and weeks and months were a rollercoaster of emotions wondering
a rollercoaster of emotions wondering
a rollercoaster of emotions wondering and worrying what Piper’s future had in
and worrying what Piper’s future had in
and worrying what Piper’s future had in store now I drove into the research and
store now I drove into the research and
store now I drove into the research and I learned a lot I learned that cystic
I learned a lot I learned that cystic
I learned a lot I learned that cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease which
fibrosis is a genetic disease which
fibrosis is a genetic disease which means that her mom and I gave this to
means that her mom and I gave this to
means that her mom and I gave this to her which is incredibly difficult to
her which is incredibly difficult to
her which is incredibly difficult to accept I would ask you how many of you
accept I would ask you how many of you
accept I would ask you how many of you know if you’re a carrier for a CF gene I
know if you’re a carrier for a CF gene I
know if you’re a carrier for a CF gene I had no idea her mom had no idea at the
had no idea her mom had no idea at the
had no idea her mom had no idea at the time we didn’t know that we had this in
time we didn’t know that we had this in
time we didn’t know that we had this in our family
our family
our family there’s over 1,600 very variations of
there’s over 1,600 very variations of
there’s over 1,600 very variations of cystic fibrosis genes the next thing I
cystic fibrosis genes the next thing I
cystic fibrosis genes the next thing I learned was that cystic fibrosis
learned was that cystic fibrosis
learned was that cystic fibrosis patients have to do hours of therapies
patients have to do hours of therapies
patients have to do hours of therapies every week hundreds of take hundreds of
every week hundreds of take hundreds of
every week hundreds of take hundreds of pills every day just to sustain their
pills every day just to sustain their
pills every day just to sustain their health
health
health I learned that cystic fibrosis basically
I learned that cystic fibrosis basically
I learned that cystic fibrosis basically is an over
is an over
is an over reduction of mucus inside the body and
reduction of mucus inside the body and
reduction of mucus inside the body and it affects the digestive system and the
it affects the digestive system and the
it affects the digestive system and the respiratory system and like oil in a car
respiratory system and like oil in a car
respiratory system and like oil in a car mucus in your body helps it function and
mucus in your body helps it function and
mucus in your body helps it function and run properly but when you have an
run properly but when you have an
run properly but when you have an abundance of it especially in the lungs
abundance of it especially in the lungs
abundance of it especially in the lungs it creates a wet sticky moist
it creates a wet sticky moist
it creates a wet sticky moist environment that if a bad bacteria goes
environment that if a bad bacteria goes
environment that if a bad bacteria goes in it can Harbor and create all kinds of
in it can Harbor and create all kinds of
in it can Harbor and create all kinds of complications
complications
complications I learned that families with patients of
I learned that families with patients of
I learned that families with patients of cystic fibrosis have to endure extreme
cystic fibrosis have to endure extreme
cystic fibrosis have to endure extreme financial burden at times when there’s
financial burden at times when there’s
financial burden at times when there’s long hospitalizations transplants or
long hospitalizations transplants or
long hospitalizations transplants or worst case death and burial expenses I
worst case death and burial expenses I
worst case death and burial expenses I learned about the emotional toll that
learned about the emotional toll that
learned about the emotional toll that cystic fibrosis takes on the families I
cystic fibrosis takes on the families I
cystic fibrosis takes on the families I learned about a father who had a 24 year
learned about a father who had a 24 year
learned about a father who had a 24 year old daughter in college and she had been
old daughter in college and she had been
old daughter in college and she had been battling CF her whole life and the
battling CF her whole life and the
battling CF her whole life and the disease had her so weak and so fragile
disease had her so weak and so fragile
disease had her so weak and so fragile in the decades of antibiotics and
in the decades of antibiotics and
in the decades of antibiotics and steroids had beat her down so much that
steroids had beat her down so much that
steroids had beat her down so much that he could barely pick her up out of bed
he could barely pick her up out of bed
he could barely pick her up out of bed without breaking a bone and worst of all
without breaking a bone and worst of all
without breaking a bone and worst of all I learned that cystic fibrosis is a
I learned that cystic fibrosis is a
I learned that cystic fibrosis is a degenerative progressive terminal
degenerative progressive terminal
degenerative progressive terminal disease and that one day it could take
disease and that one day it could take
disease and that one day it could take the life of my little girl now a
the life of my little girl now a
the life of my little girl now a thousand thoughts can run through your
thousand thoughts can run through your
thousand thoughts can run through your mind when your child has been diagnosed
mind when your child has been diagnosed
mind when your child has been diagnosed with a terminal disease one of the
with a terminal disease one of the
with a terminal disease one of the questions I had that was really
questions I had that was really
questions I had that was really important to me having grown up being an
important to me having grown up being an
important to me having grown up being an athlete and being in sports was well
athlete and being in sports was well
athlete and being in sports was well beyond the doctor’s orders beyond the
beyond the doctor’s orders beyond the
beyond the doctor’s orders beyond the therapies what could Piper do as an
therapies what could Piper do as an
therapies what could Piper do as an activity that would really help her the
activity that would really help her the
activity that would really help her the most was it soccer was it swimming what
most was it soccer was it swimming what
most was it soccer was it swimming what was it well at her first appointment
was it well at her first appointment
was it well at her first appointment with her CF team it was when the
with her CF team it was when the
with her CF team it was when the respiratory therapist walked in the room
respiratory therapist walked in the room
respiratory therapist walked in the room really sweet girl and we asked that
really sweet girl and we asked that
really sweet girl and we asked that question and she said something
question and she said something
question and she said something absolutely remarkable in the 1990s there
absolutely remarkable in the 1990s there
absolutely remarkable in the 1990s there were CF patients in Australia that had
were CF patients in Australia that had
were CF patients in Australia that had been reporting back to their doctor with
been reporting back to their doctor with
been reporting back to their doctor with outstanding results their respiratory
outstanding results their respiratory
outstanding results their respiratory function Hyatt was hired there
function Hyatt was hired there
function Hyatt was hired there infection rate was lower and the doctors
infection rate was lower and the doctors
infection rate was lower and the doctors were asking him well what are you doing
were asking him well what are you doing
were asking him well what are you doing different and it was at that time they
different and it was at that time they
different and it was at that time they said well you know we’re like down at
said well you know we’re like down at
said well you know we’re like down at the beach we’re surfing every day the
the beach we’re surfing every day the
the beach we’re surfing every day the light bulb went off and those doctors
light bulb went off and those doctors
light bulb went off and those doctors and that team put years and millions of
and that team put years and millions of
and that team put years and millions of dollars into research to determine that
dollars into research to determine that
dollars into research to determine that breathing salt water through a nebulizer
breathing salt water through a nebulizer
breathing salt water through a nebulizer or surfing had a significant improvement
or surfing had a significant improvement
or surfing had a significant improvement in lung function and the most
in lung function and the most
in lung function and the most significant thing of all is that it
significant thing of all is that it
significant thing of all is that it reduced lung exacerbations and
reduced lung exacerbations and
reduced lung exacerbations and infections by 56 percent not 10% not 20%
infections by 56 percent not 10% not 20%
infections by 56 percent not 10% not 20% over 50% I’ll give you the rundown on
over 50% I’ll give you the rundown on
over 50% I’ll give you the rundown on how somebody would see if their life
how somebody would see if their life
how somebody would see if their life works right so they’re diagnosed they
works right so they’re diagnosed they
works right so they’re diagnosed they get an infection that leads to
get an infection that leads to
get an infection that leads to inflammation inflammation leads to lung
inflammation inflammation leads to lung
inflammation inflammation leads to lung function decrease which leads to
function decrease which leads to
function decrease which leads to transplant an ultimately death that’s it
transplant an ultimately death that’s it
transplant an ultimately death that’s it that’s their path so if you can prevent
that’s their path so if you can prevent
that’s their path so if you can prevent an infection that’s amazing right so
an infection that’s amazing right so
an infection that’s amazing right so when they breathe saltwater it goes in
when they breathe saltwater it goes in
when they breathe saltwater it goes in the sodium chloride table salt breaks
the sodium chloride table salt breaks
the sodium chloride table salt breaks down the sticky mucus in their lungs
down the sticky mucus in their lungs
down the sticky mucus in their lungs hydrates their lungs and helps provide
hydrates their lungs and helps provide
hydrates their lungs and helps provide airway clearance this for parents who
airway clearance this for parents who
airway clearance this for parents who are going through a time of tremendous
are going through a time of tremendous
are going through a time of tremendous sadness and grief when you’re looking
sadness and grief when you’re looking
sadness and grief when you’re looking for any sliver of hope in the despair
for any sliver of hope in the despair
for any sliver of hope in the despair this is a miracle
this is a miracle
this is a miracle right a natural therapeutic way for
right a natural therapeutic way for
right a natural therapeutic way for Piper to heal in the surf okay great
Piper to heal in the surf okay great
Piper to heal in the surf okay great well what does that mean well we live in
well what does that mean well we live in
well what does that mean well we live in Florida fantastic lots of beaches great
Florida fantastic lots of beaches great
Florida fantastic lots of beaches great but go out and try to hire a surf coach
but go out and try to hire a surf coach
but go out and try to hire a surf coach this isn’t t-ball it’s not soccer okay I
this isn’t t-ball it’s not soccer okay I
this isn’t t-ball it’s not soccer okay I didn’t know how to surf at the time so
didn’t know how to surf at the time so
didn’t know how to surf at the time so what was the next best option
what was the next best option
what was the next best option let’s put Piper on a paddle board and
let’s put Piper on a paddle board and
let’s put Piper on a paddle board and get out there and try to find a way to
get out there and try to find a way to
get out there and try to find a way to access that environment right it’s
access that environment right it’s
access that environment right it’s bigger it’s wider it’s more stable it’s
bigger it’s wider it’s more stable it’s
bigger it’s wider it’s more stable it’s fun it’s nice to be out there in that
fun it’s nice to be out there in that
fun it’s nice to be out there in that environment and it was around this time
environment and it was around this time
environment and it was around this time that I was meeting more people in the CF
that I was meeting more people in the CF
that I was meeting more people in the CF community families patients
community families patients
community families patients and two things dawned on me had two
and two things dawned on me had two
and two things dawned on me had two realizations one all right if somebody
realizations one all right if somebody
realizations one all right if somebody tells you that your child has been given
tells you that your child has been given
tells you that your child has been given this diagnosis and that the salt
this diagnosis and that the salt
this diagnosis and that the salt environment is the best for them if
environment is the best for them if
environment is the best for them if you’re in Kansas drop your stuff and
you’re in Kansas drop your stuff and
you’re in Kansas drop your stuff and move right get somewhere where you can
move right get somewhere where you can
move right get somewhere where you can get her out there
get her out there
get her out there well I’d realize there was no paved path
well I’d realize there was no paved path
well I’d realize there was no paved path there was no way for people with cystic
there was no way for people with cystic
there was no way for people with cystic fibrosis to access this salt environment
fibrosis to access this salt environment
fibrosis to access this salt environment that’s so beneficial to them on a
that’s so beneficial to them on a
that’s so beneficial to them on a regular basis right not just a one-day
regular basis right not just a one-day
regular basis right not just a one-day surf camp but like their whole life this
surf camp but like their whole life this
surf camp but like their whole life this should be built into they need a passion
should be built into they need a passion
should be built into they need a passion for the ocean this is what heals them
for the ocean this is what heals them
for the ocean this is what heals them this is what gives them life expectancy
this is what gives them life expectancy
this is what gives them life expectancy that goes beyond what Piper is now at
that goes beyond what Piper is now at
that goes beyond what Piper is now at which is her life expectancy with her
which is her life expectancy with her
which is her life expectancy with her aggressive form is late 20s to late 30s
aggressive form is late 20s to late 30s
aggressive form is late 20s to late 30s well we all know that it’s not about the
well we all know that it’s not about the
well we all know that it’s not about the time you have Bob Marley was 37 years
time you have Bob Marley was 37 years
time you have Bob Marley was 37 years old when he passed from this planet but
old when he passed from this planet but
old when he passed from this planet but his message and his music touched the
his message and his music touched the
his message and his music touched the world right and at the same time I was
world right and at the same time I was
world right and at the same time I was meeting a lot of CF families and the
meeting a lot of CF families and the
meeting a lot of CF families and the second thing I realized was some not all
second thing I realized was some not all
second thing I realized was some not all but some families are insecure about
but some families are insecure about
but some families are insecure about this disease and rightfully so who wants
this disease and rightfully so who wants
this disease and rightfully so who wants to talk about their child having a
to talk about their child having a
to talk about their child having a terminal disease it’s hurtful you have
terminal disease it’s hurtful you have
terminal disease it’s hurtful you have to be vulnerable it’s sad it’s
to be vulnerable it’s sad it’s
to be vulnerable it’s sad it’s heartbreaking sometimes I can’t even
heartbreaking sometimes I can’t even
heartbreaking sometimes I can’t even talk about it without just falling apart
talk about it without just falling apart
talk about it without just falling apart but the thing that occurred to me was
but the thing that occurred to me was
but the thing that occurred to me was wait whoa Piper I don’t want Piper to
wait whoa Piper I don’t want Piper to
wait whoa Piper I don’t want Piper to grow up in a world where she feels
grow up in a world where she feels
grow up in a world where she feels insecure you know as a parent when you
insecure you know as a parent when you
insecure you know as a parent when you see these kids you know if the parents
see these kids you know if the parents
see these kids you know if the parents have fear it reflects onto the child I
have fear it reflects onto the child I
have fear it reflects onto the child I don’t I wanted Piper to define her life
don’t I wanted Piper to define her life
don’t I wanted Piper to define her life with this disease not let this disease
with this disease not let this disease
with this disease not let this disease define her life so that got me going
define her life so that got me going
define her life so that got me going right it got me thinking like well what
right it got me thinking like well what
right it got me thinking like well what can I do how can we put the power back
can I do how can we put the power back
can I do how can we put the power back in Piper’s hands what can I do to teach
in Piper’s hands what can I do to teach
in Piper’s hands what can I do to teach her that she needs to be bold in the
her that she needs to be bold in the
her that she needs to be bold in the face of fear she can’t let fear be her
face of fear she can’t let fear be her
face of fear she can’t let fear be her operating system in life she needs love
operating system in life she needs love
operating system in life she needs love in every moment in every day with
in every moment in every day with
in every moment in every day with everybody because there’s a sense of
everybody because there’s a sense of
everybody because there’s a sense of urgency here right
urgency here right
urgency here right so then an idea came to me I’d been
so then an idea came to me I’d been
so then an idea came to me I’d been looking at some different magazines and
looking at some different magazines and
looking at some different magazines and paddleboarding and I saw all these guys
paddleboarding and I saw all these guys
paddleboarding and I saw all these guys out in Hawaii doing these long-distance
out in Hawaii doing these long-distance
out in Hawaii doing these long-distance crossings and I thought huh that’s cool
crossings and I thought huh that’s cool
crossings and I thought huh that’s cool right and so this ties in the ocean
right and so this ties in the ocean
right and so this ties in the ocean well maybe since we’re here in Florida
well maybe since we’re here in Florida
well maybe since we’re here in Florida maybe we could paddleboard from the
maybe we could paddleboard from the
maybe we could paddleboard from the Bahamas back to Florida and this would
Bahamas back to Florida and this would
Bahamas back to Florida and this would be like a big bold way right to show off
be like a big bold way right to show off
be like a big bold way right to show off this amazing connection to the ocean in
this amazing connection to the ocean in
this amazing connection to the ocean in the salt environment the healing
the salt environment the healing
the salt environment the healing benefits for people with CF but it also
benefits for people with CF but it also
benefits for people with CF but it also give Piper something that for me as a
give Piper something that for me as a
give Piper something that for me as a dad just trying to do everything
dad just trying to do everything
dad just trying to do everything possible every day to give her the best
possible every day to give her the best
possible every day to give her the best life hey you know if I get struck by
life hey you know if I get struck by
life hey you know if I get struck by lightning next year and I’m gone from
lightning next year and I’m gone from
lightning next year and I’m gone from this planet
this planet
this planet what can I leave behind that shows Piper
what can I leave behind that shows Piper
what can I leave behind that shows Piper don’t be afraid to be who you are and
don’t be afraid to be who you are and
don’t be afraid to be who you are and put this out there help people with it
put this out there help people with it
put this out there help people with it and so that’s what we did our goal was
and so that’s what we did our goal was
and so that’s what we did our goal was to paddle 90 miles from Bimini back to
to paddle 90 miles from Bimini back to
to paddle 90 miles from Bimini back to West Palm Beach we left we headed over
West Palm Beach we left we headed over
West Palm Beach we left we headed over to Bimini with a projection of roughly
to Bimini with a projection of roughly
to Bimini with a projection of roughly 18 to 20 hours to paddle back it was
18 to 20 hours to paddle back it was
18 to 20 hours to paddle back it was myself and three other paddle boarders
myself and three other paddle boarders
myself and three other paddle boarders and we had a support team of two boats
and we had a support team of two boats
and we had a support team of two boats and crew and my dad who’s here today
and crew and my dad who’s here today
and crew and my dad who’s here today which is awesome and so everything was
which is awesome and so everything was
which is awesome and so everything was going perfect right up until we left
going perfect right up until we left
going perfect right up until we left right at this photo when we shoved off
right at this photo when we shoved off
right at this photo when we shoved off the beach this is right behind Bimini
the beach this is right behind Bimini
the beach this is right behind Bimini so Bimini is sheltering kind of the
so Bimini is sheltering kind of the
so Bimini is sheltering kind of the ocean behind it right in the Gulf Stream
ocean behind it right in the Gulf Stream
ocean behind it right in the Gulf Stream coming up well a southeast low-pressure
coming up well a southeast low-pressure
coming up well a southeast low-pressure system like a mini storm a wind event
system like a mini storm a wind event
system like a mini storm a wind event right moved in and it caused rougher
right moved in and it caused rougher
right moved in and it caused rougher seas so this is about ten miles offshore
seas so this is about ten miles offshore
seas so this is about ten miles offshore this is a tower pre dark paddle because
this is a tower pre dark paddle because
this is a tower pre dark paddle because we had to paddle overnight to make it to
we had to paddle overnight to make it to
we had to paddle overnight to make it to West Palm the next day so as we’re
West Palm the next day so as we’re
West Palm the next day so as we’re sitting down on the boards and we’re
sitting down on the boards and we’re
sitting down on the boards and we’re contemplating all this going Wow you
contemplating all this going Wow you
contemplating all this going Wow you know 25 mile an hour winds is tough an
know 25 mile an hour winds is tough an
know 25 mile an hour winds is tough an amazing thing happened the boats are
amazing thing happened the boats are
amazing thing happened the boats are sitting there and one of the captains
sitting there and one of the captains
sitting there and one of the captains yells Finn Finn Finn and we’re all like
yells Finn Finn Finn and we’re all like
yells Finn Finn Finn and we’re all like yeah you know it’s like kind of
yeah you know it’s like kind of
yeah you know it’s like kind of unnerving being in the ocean and you
unnerving being in the ocean and you
unnerving being in the ocean and you know you’re expecting to see
know you’re expecting to see
know you’re expecting to see like a 15-foot hammerhead or I don’t
like a 15-foot hammerhead or I don’t
like a 15-foot hammerhead or I don’t know tiger shark instead it was a pot of
know tiger shark instead it was a pot of
know tiger shark instead it was a pot of dolphins whoo right yeah we this is fun
dolphins whoo right yeah we this is fun
dolphins whoo right yeah we this is fun they’re like playing between us and
they’re like playing between us and
they’re like playing between us and around us and then all of a sudden the
around us and then all of a sudden the
around us and then all of a sudden the most incredible thing happened one of
most incredible thing happened one of
most incredible thing happened one of them right between us just rises up out
them right between us just rises up out
them right between us just rises up out of the ocean straight up and down looks
of the ocean straight up and down looks
of the ocean straight up and down looks around at us and then says what the hell
around at us and then says what the hell
around at us and then says what the hell are you guys doing out here
are you guys doing out here
are you guys doing out here not what it said but it’s what it was
not what it said but it’s what it was
not what it said but it’s what it was thinking and then it went back down and
thinking and then it went back down and
thinking and then it went back down and we all were blown away of course the
we all were blown away of course the
we all were blown away of course the camera guy in the boat was changing his
camera guy in the boat was changing his
camera guy in the boat was changing his batteries so we missed it but we’ll all
batteries so we missed it but we’ll all
batteries so we missed it but we’ll all remember it forever so we paddled and we
remember it forever so we paddled and we
remember it forever so we paddled and we paddled and we paddled and as we got out
paddled and we paddled and as we got out
paddled and we paddled and as we got out there the ocean went from 3 to 4
there the ocean went from 3 to 4
there the ocean went from 3 to 4 manageable 4 to 6 whoo boy 6 to 8 foot
manageable 4 to 6 whoo boy 6 to 8 foot
manageable 4 to 6 whoo boy 6 to 8 foot swells in the middle of the Gulf Stream
swells in the middle of the Gulf Stream
swells in the middle of the Gulf Stream and so here we are paddling at night
and so here we are paddling at night
and so here we are paddling at night we’re falling off the boards we’re
we’re falling off the boards we’re
we’re falling off the boards we’re becoming hypothermic from leading body
becoming hypothermic from leading body
becoming hypothermic from leading body heat shivering our crew on the boats
heat shivering our crew on the boats
heat shivering our crew on the boats were seasick
were seasick
were seasick we had vertigo from the bubble of light
we had vertigo from the bubble of light
we had vertigo from the bubble of light from behind the boats and here we are
from behind the boats and here we are
from behind the boats and here we are it’s 3 a.m. in the pitch-black of the
it’s 3 a.m. in the pitch-black of the
it’s 3 a.m. in the pitch-black of the Gulf Stream under a blanket of a billion
Gulf Stream under a blanket of a billion
Gulf Stream under a blanket of a billion stars in the Milky Way and I’m down on
stars in the Milky Way and I’m down on
stars in the Milky Way and I’m down on my knees paddling right and I’m thinking
my knees paddling right and I’m thinking
my knees paddling right and I’m thinking oh damn that dolphin was right what are
oh damn that dolphin was right what are
oh damn that dolphin was right what are we doing out here what did I get these
we doing out here what did I get these
we doing out here what did I get these people into and it was at that moment
people into and it was at that moment
people into and it was at that moment that one of our paddlers yelled
that one of our paddlers yelled
that one of our paddlers yelled lighthouse all right I grew up in
lighthouse all right I grew up in
lighthouse all right I grew up in Florida I’ve been around beaches and
Florida I’ve been around beaches and
Florida I’ve been around beaches and lighthouses my whole life I had no idea
lighthouses my whole life I had no idea
lighthouses my whole life I had no idea what a lighthouse is a beacon of hope
what a lighthouse is a beacon of hope
what a lighthouse is a beacon of hope meant until that moment all right
meant until that moment all right
meant until that moment all right because we saw that beam go who will
because we saw that beam go who will
because we saw that beam go who will cross the horizon it was like hallelujah
cross the horizon it was like hallelujah
cross the horizon it was like hallelujah right like we’re gonna make it and we
right like we’re gonna make it and we
right like we’re gonna make it and we did the next morning the Sun rose up and
did the next morning the Sun rose up and
did the next morning the Sun rose up and we kept paddling and we kept paddling
we kept paddling and we kept paddling
we kept paddling and we kept paddling and eventually we made it right in the
and eventually we made it right in the
and eventually we made it right in the palm beach and lit to a celebratory
palm beach and lit to a celebratory
palm beach and lit to a celebratory crowd of friends and family and it was a
crowd of friends and family and it was a
crowd of friends and family and it was a big success right we raised $15,000 we
big success right we raised $15,000 we
big success right we raised $15,000 we had a ton of media coverage and one
had a ton of media coverage and one
had a ton of media coverage and one thing that was interesting was that the
thing that was interesting was that the
thing that was interesting was that the media
media
media this name Piper’s Angels right for our
this name Piper’s Angels right for our
this name Piper’s Angels right for our paddlers in our crew now I have to ask
paddlers in our crew now I have to ask
paddlers in our crew now I have to ask you a real question here who is the real
you a real question here who is the real
you a real question here who is the real angel pipers all of this came together
angel pipers all of this came together
angel pipers all of this came together because of her last year Piper was in
because of her last year Piper was in
because of her last year Piper was in the hospital for two months once for two
the hospital for two months once for two
the hospital for two months once for two weeks in the spring and six weeks over
weeks in the spring and six weeks over
weeks in the spring and six weeks over the summer she went into the hospital an
the summer she went into the hospital an
the summer she went into the hospital an eight-year-old girl with a pretty normal
eight-year-old girl with a pretty normal
eight-year-old girl with a pretty normal lifestyle she came out of the hospital
lifestyle she came out of the hospital
lifestyle she came out of the hospital with a permanent feeding tube a
with a permanent feeding tube a
with a permanent feeding tube a long-term IV that goes directly into her
long-term IV that goes directly into her
long-term IV that goes directly into her heart and an 18-month protocol for
heart and an 18-month protocol for
heart and an 18-month protocol for antibiotics and steroids to try to knock
antibiotics and steroids to try to knock
antibiotics and steroids to try to knock back a bacteria that’s colonized in her
back a bacteria that’s colonized in her
back a bacteria that’s colonized in her lungs so the fight must continue and
lungs so the fight must continue and
lungs so the fight must continue and today I’m very proud to say that the
today I’m very proud to say that the
today I’m very proud to say that the crossing for a cure has over 30
crossing for a cure has over 30
crossing for a cure has over 30 registered paddleboarders we’re on our
registered paddleboarders we’re on our
registered paddleboarders we’re on our way to $50,000 in fundraising and in
way to $50,000 in fundraising and in
way to $50,000 in fundraising and in June we’re gonna paddle again we’ve
June we’re gonna paddle again we’ve
June we’re gonna paddle again we’ve created the Pipers angels foundation to
created the Pipers angels foundation to
created the Pipers angels foundation to help empower people in the CF community
help empower people in the CF community
help empower people in the CF community but more so to develop the world’s
but more so to develop the world’s
but more so to develop the world’s largest ocean based activities program
largest ocean based activities program
largest ocean based activities program for sea efforts to participate in salt
for sea efforts to participate in salt
for sea efforts to participate in salt water activities thus giving them a
water activities thus giving them a
water activities thus giving them a chance to extend their life and guess
chance to extend their life and guess
chance to extend their life and guess what we have a cure all right we’re on
what we have a cure all right we’re on
what we have a cure all right we’re on the path to it I fully believe that I
the path to it I fully believe that I
the path to it I fully believe that I have absolute faith but we need to give
have absolute faith but we need to give
have absolute faith but we need to give every one of those sea effers an
every one of those sea effers an
every one of those sea effers an opportunity to see that day so if you
opportunity to see that day so if you
opportunity to see that day so if you can prevent one infection and extend
can prevent one infection and extend
can prevent one infection and extend their life just a little bit you might
their life just a little bit you might
their life just a little bit you might get it just out there far enough that
get it just out there far enough that
get it just out there far enough that they see the day that cure comes there’s
they see the day that cure comes there’s
they see the day that cure comes there’s Piper surfing her first wave in Costa
Piper surfing her first wave in Costa
Piper surfing her first wave in Costa Rica at a surf camp now we started today
Rica at a surf camp now we started today
Rica at a surf camp now we started today in this talk by talking about in me
in this talk by talking about in me
in this talk by talking about in me asking you how is the wave born ray you
asking you how is the wave born ray you
asking you how is the wave born ray you got these like big ball of iron this guy
got these like big ball of iron this guy
got these like big ball of iron this guy heats up the earth generates a wind
heats up the earth generates a wind
heats up the earth generates a wind event it sends out a swell thousands of
event it sends out a swell thousands of
event it sends out a swell thousands of miles across the ocean and then there
miles across the ocean and then there
miles across the ocean and then there you are sitting in the lineup patiently
you are sitting in the lineup patiently
you are sitting in the lineup patiently watching and waiting and here here comes
watching and waiting and here here comes
watching and waiting and here here comes right and as it gets to the beach it
right and as it gets to the beach it
right and as it gets to the beach it rises up into one of the most beautiful
rises up into one of the most beautiful
rises up into one of the most beautiful natural for me
natural for me
natural for me mother nature has to offer you can see
mother nature has to offer you can see
mother nature has to offer you can see that guy in the background what is he
that guy in the background what is he
that guy in the background what is he doing he just paddle paddled dropped
doing he just paddle paddled dropped
doing he just paddle paddled dropped into the shoulder that wave and turned
into the shoulder that wave and turned
into the shoulder that wave and turned to go down the line and what is he doing
to go down the line and what is he doing
to go down the line and what is he doing he’s riding that wave but what is he
he’s riding that wave but what is he
he’s riding that wave but what is he really doing he’s connecting with that
really doing he’s connecting with that
really doing he’s connecting with that energy that started out there and it
energy that started out there and it
energy that started out there and it came all the way to that Beach and he’s
came all the way to that Beach and he’s
came all the way to that Beach and he’s riding the triumphant finale of the life
riding the triumphant finale of the life
riding the triumphant finale of the life of that wave before it hits the beach
of that wave before it hits the beach
of that wave before it hits the beach and disperses right Piper is my son she
and disperses right Piper is my son she
and disperses right Piper is my son she is my star she is my source of energy of
is my star she is my source of energy of
is my star she is my source of energy of power of inspiration the lesson to be
power of inspiration the lesson to be
power of inspiration the lesson to be learned here is that as humans we are
learned here is that as humans we are
learned here is that as humans we are all just a reflection of what’s within
all just a reflection of what’s within
all just a reflection of what’s within and after years after Piper’s diagnosis
and after years after Piper’s diagnosis
and after years after Piper’s diagnosis and going through all this producing
and going through all this producing
and going through all this producing this crossing for a cure paddling across
this crossing for a cure paddling across
this crossing for a cure paddling across the ocean creating the Pipers angels
the ocean creating the Pipers angels
the ocean creating the Pipers angels foundation what I learned is really
foundation what I learned is really
foundation what I learned is really valuable in how you cope which is that
valuable in how you cope which is that
valuable in how you cope which is that no matter what wind event storm or ocean
no matter what wind event storm or ocean
no matter what wind event storm or ocean conditions is happening in your life
conditions is happening in your life
conditions is happening in your life weather no matter what the adversity is
weather no matter what the adversity is
weather no matter what the adversity is or what you’re facing which could be a
or what you’re facing which could be a
or what you’re facing which could be a great loss or a devastating diagnosis
the key is that you have to take that
the key is that you have to take that energy source that power that event and
energy source that power that event and
energy source that power that event and you have to transform it on all that
you have to transform it on all that
you have to transform it on all that pain and suffering transform it into the
pain and suffering transform it into the
pain and suffering transform it into the ride of a lifetime because you only get
ride of a lifetime because you only get
ride of a lifetime because you only get one shot here you have to be bold in the
one shot here you have to be bold in the
one shot here you have to be bold in the face of fear because if you are you
face of fear because if you are you
face of fear because if you are you don’t need a cure to find healing by
don’t need a cure to find healing by
don’t need a cure to find healing by being bold you don’t need a cure to heal
being bold you don’t need a cure to heal
being bold you don’t need a cure to heal thank you guys very much
thank you guys very much
thank you guys very much you
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