NEW EPISODE
Sailing With the O'Shea Family
Georgina and Magnolia take the helm, putting their new captain skills to use as they learn to steer a boat for the first time.
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You don't find a lot of calm in your life when you have
Rett syndrome, so this was a really nice change.
Megan O'Shea, Georgina's Mom
At least in Maggie's experience, the motion really helped calm us down. And so the faster we're moving, the happier we are.
AJ Tesler, Magnolia's Dad
I love taking Georgina on adventures...anything I can do that helps her feel like she's doing stuff other kids can do.
Megan O'Shea, Georgina's Mom
There’s something deeply poetic about sailing—there’s a dance between the wind and the water as the boat leans into the breeze, trusting the sail. For a long time, I thought that dance wasn’t meant for me. In my childhood, I went sailing once with a family friend. We sailed in the Gulf of Mexico, and a sudden storm approached, the waves were bigger than I had ever seen. The wind was strong, and we headed back to the marina. It was the scariest boat ride of my life: the boat heeling so much, I swore I could touch the water.
Over time, my fear tied to that day dissipated. Friends told me about their love of sailing—how freeing it is. I knew I wanted to try again. When AJ mentioned we could go sailing with Magnolia, my heart dropped—would it be safe for her to be on a boat that is heeling to the side? Then we found an adaptive sailing company, New England Science & Sailing (NESS). They assured us their boats have specialized seats to make sailing accessible for individuals with disabilities.
We met up with Megan and Georgina (“Georgie”) O’Shea at NESS in Stonington, CT. Magnolia and Georgina have very similar interests (they both love adventures and Taylor Swift), and this was looking to be a fun day. We were introduced to our boat captains, Captain Spot and Captain Spinny. We quickly learned all captains are given a sea name, usually the same as their vessel. Since Spot and Spinny captain many vessels, they have their own unique names. After a brief introduction and an overview of our safety guidelines, the captains informed us they were in the US Coast Guard as well, which put me more at ease.
The ocean doesn’t care about limitations—it just wants you to show up.
Jenny Tesler, Magnolia’s Mom
The time had come to board our boats. As we walked over to board, I couldn’t help but smile at the sleek, beautiful sailboat with custom adaptive seats ready for our girls. We took out 2 boats, 1 with 2 adapted seats, so our girls could enjoy the day together. Megan and I joined Magnolia and Georgina with Captain Spot, while AJ, Grayden, and one of our cameramen joined Captain Spinny.
Once we hoisted the sails, the transformation was magical. The boat caught the wind and we were off. Our boat was peaceful, with Captain Spot talking about the waters, the wind, and sailing, all the while helping Magnolia and Georgina both steer the boat. They loved it. Magnolia went first and didn’t want to give up the captain’s chair, but I nudged her into sharing it with her new first mate. Since all good captains get a sea name, our girls did as well: Captain Magnolia and Captain Georgina!
While we were enjoying our peaceful day on the ocean, AJ and Grayden had a completely different experience. Captain Spinny allowed Grayden to steer their boat. Within moments of steering, he was zigzagging into the waves, going fast and far. Grayden loved it, but our cameraman didn’t—it was a topsy-turvy ride. With the crew and passengers holding on for their lives, Grayden earned his new sea name: Captain Chaos.
Adaptive sailing was a reminder that the sea belongs to all of us. On the water, with the wind pushing us forward and the ocean spray misting our faces, we felt free. Sailing may seem like a faraway fantasy, something for other people. But with the right equipment, a great crew, and a little brother shouting, “ABANDON SHIP!” it became something more: a joyful, wild, unforgettable experience that proved the ocean doesn’t care about limitations—it just wants you to show up.
So, if you’ve ever dreamed of sailing but thought your family couldn’t, think again. Adaptive sailing opens the sea to people with disabilities, including those with Rett syndrome.
Every day, families are making
What if We Can a reality
Ready to create your own adventures?
Embark on your own Magnolia adventures from home with an exclusive adventure sticker journal!
What’s included:
- A series of vibrant adventure stickers
- Journal pages with fill-in prompts where you can document your own highlights and adaptations
- Ideas for future family adventures
Next Episode
Biking With the Waterman Family
The Tesler and Waterman families team up for an adaptive biking experience perfectly geared to the girls’ speed.