Overcoming challenges leads to an ocean of opportunity
A columnist gleans deep insight from one of the world's most majestic creatures
I’ve long dreamed of visiting the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta to see their famed whale sharks. Something about the gigantic yet peaceful sea creatures tugs at my soul in a way that made me crave seeing them up close. Eventually, that dream became a reality as well as a favorite memory.
In 2024, my family and I took a slight detour on our way home from vacation in St. Simons Island, Georgia, to spend a few hours at the aquarium before continuing onward. We’d already met Bandit, a green sea turtle, at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, so stopping at the Georgia Aquarium would be the perfect opportunity to complete our oceanic adventure.
If you’ve ever driven through downtown Atlanta, you know how hectic it is. Simply navigating the interstate is a challenge that demands patience, focus, and perhaps some teamwork. Safely getting around the area as a wheelchair user, much like living with SMA in general, requires the same.
Even getting into the hotel was a challenge. There was no open-air parking for several blocks, and our high-top wheelchair van doesn’t fit in a parking garage. We love the benefits of having a big vehicle, but the limited parking accessibility is something we have to plan around.
We had to momentarily park on a side street beside the hotel, where I waited on a sloped sidewalk while my family unloaded our luggage and all my medical equipment onto a cart. Thankfully, nothing rolled down the hill. My ventilator and shower chair have wheels, too, so there was plenty to keep an eye on.
With everything toted inside and up the elevator, the van was relocated to the nearest parking lot, bags were unloaded, and takeout was ordered for dinner. Our room looked directly upon the aquarium, with a larger-than-life whale shark mural (well, maybe not that much larger) staring through our window, guarding us as we slept.
The next morning, we did everything again in reverse. After we finished the lengthy process of my care routine, including breathing treatments, and everyone got ready for checkout, the van was brought back and reloaded. It was then returned to the parking lot to wait while we explored the aquarium across the street.
But how to get across the street? The crosswalk was farther up the road — and the hill — with bumpy sidewalks on both sides, construction cones, and traffic. We made the journey together with my family scouting the easiest path for me and keeping an eye on traffic to ensure I was safe.
The underwater world we entered on the other side was well worth the extra effort it took to get there! The Georgia Aquarium is home to some of the ocean’s most incredible inhabitants that we might not have seen otherwise, including beluga whales, a mantis shrimp, and schools of colorful fish. And the whale sharks? Every bit as magnificent as I’d hoped, and then some.
Reminders from my whale shark friends
While my path to the aquarium had some obstacles, it was much easier than the whale sharks’ journeys. They were rescued from fish markets in Taiwan, before becoming aquarium ambassadors. Can you imagine how difficult it must be to transport such colossal sea creatures halfway around the world while attending to their injuries? Talk about a dedicated care team.
Nothing justifies the suffering inflicted on these animals, but on the other side of their challenges, they received opportunities to educate and inspire millions of people while living out their lives peacefully. Something good came from their experiences that benefits them and everyone who’s met them.
When we visited, the aquarium housed two whale sharks. Tragically, one, Taroko, died in August. Yushan remains as the lone whale shark representative, and Atlanta News First reports that he’s in good health.
Before continuing the long drive home, we decided to visit the Ocean Voyager exhibit to see the whale sharks once more. This time, one of them dove down and passed directly in front of us multiple times. I don’t know which one, but the experience was unforgettable.
As it swam by, my heart lurched at the sight of scars that reminded me of my own, although mine are from lifesaving care and not senseless cruelty. But that isn’t all I saw.
In this creature, I found resilience, power, beauty, and a reminder that challenges aren’t the end of the story. I’m so grateful we didn’t let the challenges of SMA keep us from having the opportunity to meet the whale sharks. May their legacies live on, and if you ever get the chance, I hope you’ll go meet Yushan.
Note: SMA News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of SMA News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to spinal muscular atrophy.
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