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When Deena and Peter Hoagland found themselves the parents of a paralyzed and visually impaired son, they discovered a way to not only help their son Joe but also help thousands of other families in similar circumstances.
In 1986, Joe Hoagland was born with a rare, life-threatening heart condition; he suffered a massive stroke during the third of five open-heart surgeries. The Hoagland family had recently moved to Key Largo, Florida from Colorado where the high altitude was compromising Joe’s health. The Hoagland’s left their lives and friends behind in an effort to save their son. Starting a new life in Key Largo was lonely and overwhelming. Between doctor and therapy appointments there was little time left for family fun. Finding a place for Joe to play and just “be a kid” was difficult, especially since the stroke had robbed Joe of his independence and thus his favorite activity, swimming. Not knowing where else to turn, Deena, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, called Dolphin’s Plus, an educational dolphin facility in Key Largo. The owner, Lloyd Borguss, told Deena to bring Joe to meet the dolphins. A special friendship was immediately formed between Joe and a wondrous dolphin named Fonzie.
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Over the course of the next year, their friendship grew stronger. Deena utilized the playful interactions between Joe and Fonzie as a motivator to strengthen Joe, both physically and emotionally. Joe wanted to spend as much time as he could with his new dolphin friend. He worked extra hard in his other therapies with the hope of someday swimming with Fonzie. Approximately two years after Joe’s first dolphin encounter he independently slid into the water and swam with his old friend, Fonzie. Today Joe is 18 years old with few remaining signs of the stroke. Deena theorized that if the dolphins could motivate and encourage her son, they might do the same for other children and families. Out of this experience Island Dolphin Care was born as a 501 ã 3 not-for profit organization. Deena Hoagland, LCSW is the Executive Director of IDC and her husband Peter Hoagland is General Manager. Through their experiences with Joe they understand the unique path that parents of children with special needs travel. Parents arriving at IDC programs feel accepted and understood in a stress-free environment. |
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