Click play to listen to a deep dive podcast – like overview of this story. This summary is AI generated, and some elements may be not be accurate. –>
Do you ever dream of escaping the everyday?
The brochure for The Silver Current promised sun-drenched decks, endless horizons, and the gentle lull of the ocean—a perfect escape from reality. A grand ship, sparkling under the morning sun, stood as a beacon of relaxation at Broomfield Port. It would be headed for Hawaii soon. For most passengers, it was just a dream vacation. But for this unique group of animals, each navigating life with chronic health conditions like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), this cruise was more than a getaway; it was a testament to resilience, and a shared quest to find serenity amidst the unpredictable currents of their own bodies. They were here to navigate relaxation, shared symptoms, and the very real worries that come with chronic illness.
The Port of Pre-Cruise Perils
The journey began with the familiar chaos of airport-style security at the bustling port, adapted for a very diverse clientele. These adaptations even included two separate entrances for sea animals. One for salt water creatures, and one for freshwater. The terminal buzzed with an array of various sounds and movements.
Daphne the energetic dolphin, her sleek body practically vibrating with excitement, bounced on her flippers in the salt water entrance, eager to feel the ocean spray. Even amidst the commotion, she noticed Sammy, the German Shepard, his tongue lolling slightly, immediately seeking the sliver of shade cast by a nearby pillar, a subtle sign of his ongoing battle with thermoregulation issues and the worry of overheating. “Come on, Sammy!” she called, her voice full of playful energy. “The pool deck will be much cooler!”
Ash the yellow giraffe, walked with his sister, a giraffe with a distinct blueish-teal color, named Julie. He attempted a graceful stride towards security, but a sudden tremor in his long legs caused him to wobble precariously. Julie, ever watchful, moved swiftly to his side, offering a calming presence. “Easy there, Ash,” she murmured, offering her sturdy frame for support as his unstable walking flared. “We’re not in a hurry.”
Nearby, Olivia the white barn owl, her snowy feathers immaculate, blinked slowly as the faces of the security officers seemed to multiply before her wide, intelligent eyes. Her usually sharp vision had betrayed her. With a dignified tilt of her head, she reached into a small pouch and carefully placed a soft eye patch over one eye, a familiar strategy to regain focus when her sight played tricks on her.
The metallic clang of luggage conveyers and the shrill announcements over the PA system were almost unbearable for Bella the bat. Elegant and composed, she felt the sounds and lights crash over her like a tidal wave, each echo disorienting her, making the vast terminal spin. With a subtle movement, she reached up and slipped in a pair of discreet ear loops designed to filter out excess noise, a stylish solution to her sensory overload.
Lia the Lemur, her arms full of various small, rattling containers, diligently checked her phone. “Capsule, tablet, sublingual… yes, yes,” she muttered to herself, scrolling through her medication list and cross-referencing it with the contents of her many pouches. Her brow was furrowed in concentration as she researched potential interactions for her numerous medications, a constant, almost obsessive, rhythm to her journey.
Rosie the Raccoon, her masked face scrunched with concern, struggled to maneuver an exceptionally large, overflowing duffel bag onto the conveyor belt. It snagged on the edge, threatening to spill its contents. The bag itself seemed too wide for the conveyor, refusing to fit cleanly. She let out a sigh, her snout twitching in exasperation at this small, frustrating moment that hinted at her persistent worry about getting stuck without needed supplies.
Henry the fox, his darker fur slightly ruffled, patted his backpack, a stressed expression on his face. Had he remembered everything? The nagging feeling of forgetfulness was a heavy weight. Fiona the fox, his elegant orange wife with a flower in her hair, gently took his paw and placed his passport in it. “Here you go, dear,” she said calmly.
As they shuffled forward, a frustrated bleat pierced the air. Geraldine the goat, her dark legs suddenly stiff and unyielding, stood frozen mid-step. Her grayish upper body trembled slightly as her muscle stiffness and spasticity caused her legs to lock completely, and she tumbled to the ground with a surprised “oof!”
Immediately, Sheldon the dapper tortoise, moving as quickly as his limited mobility allowed, removed a small, foldable wheelchair from his well-prepared stockpile of durable medical equipment. “Here, Geraldine,” Sheldon offered kindly, “I always have one on hand; it often helps when our legs have other plans.” Geraldine gratefully eased herself into it, taking small, jerky pushes.
Perched anxiously on a nearby luggage cart was Twitch the finch. As the bright security lights flashed, his tiny eyelids began to twitch uncontrollably, making it hard for him to focus. He instinctively turned his head and covered one eye with his wing, a self-soothing habit to manage the facial tremor.
Elara the majestic horse, a beautiful chestnut mare with wide, expressive eyes, stood near the entrance, her nostrils flaring slightly. She felt the nervous energy of the crowd as if it were a physical force, the anxieties and worries of each creature washing over her, threatening to overwhelm her own senses. Her empathy, usually a gift, felt like a burden in this chaotic space.
Harriet the graceful blue heron, noticing Elara’s distress, approached with a calm grace. “The air is a bit thick, isn’t it?” she said softly, her voice a soothing whisper. “Perhaps a few deep breaths? In… and out…” Harriet demonstrated, her long neck extending and retracting with each measured breath.
Cody the cautious bearded Dragon, dressed in his favorite fedora, clutched Sasha the sleek Snake‘s tail tightly, his scales a shade paler than usual. The sheer volume of creatures and the unfamiliar smells made his stomach churn. He pulled his hat further over his eyes, wishing he could just disappear into Sasha’s coils. “Are they looking at us?” he whispered, his voice barely audible, convinced every passing gaze held judgment.
Penny the Squirrel, her fur a slightly duller brown and her demeanor rather homely, meticulously counted her few dollars again, a worried frown creasing her face, the stress of cost weighing heavily on her mind. Suddenly, Erwin the Golden Eagle, soaring quietly overhead, spotted a small, colorful slip of paper fluttering on the ground near the check-in desk. He swooped down, landing briefly beside Penny, dropping the coupon for a complimentary onboard excursion at her paws. Penny gasped, her eyes widening with relief.
Kozy the kind Koala, looking young and effortlessly cool with a trendy haircut, yawned widely, despite the excitement around him. He leaned against his luggage, a wave of fatigue already washing over him, but his friendly eyes still sparkling with anticipation for the cruise. Dora, the fancy fennec fox, shuffling slowly beside him, said in her gentle voice, “Don’t worry, Kozy. We can find a nice quiet place for a nap as soon as we’re on board.”
Hummer the distracted hummingbird zipped through the air, seemingly focused on the task at hand, but a sudden flash of light from a phone screen sent him darting off course, his mind easily distracted by shiny objects and the many thoughts buzzing within.
Quinby the Busy bumblebee, a tiny dynamo, weaved through the crowd, leaving a faint trail of shimmering flower dust that brought smiles to weary faces. She buzzed playfully past Camilla the Chameleon, whose scales were beginning to shift erratically as her emotion regulation issues started to surface. For a brief moment, as Quinby’s cheerful dust settled on her, Camilla’s colors seemed to steady, a fleeting sense of ease passing over her.
The cats, Charlie and Charlotte, conferred quietly. Charlotte, her glasses slightly askew, whispered about the proximity of restrooms, a vital consideration due to her bladder dysfunction. Charlie nodded in understanding, her own bowel issues a shared concern.
Finally, Dotty the sweet monkey, her braided hair neatly arranged, carefully picked up her small handbag, only for it to slip through her weakened grasp. “Oh my stars!” she exclaimed softly, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment at her muscle weakness in her hands.
Life on the High Seas
As the wonderfully diverse group finally boarded The Silver Current, a sense of relief washed over them. Just as the doors were about to close, Lia the Lemur, ever the meticulous one, pulled out a clipboard. “Just a quick check,” she announced kindly, scanning her list. “Has everyone and all necessary supplies and medical equipment made it on board?” She patiently waited for nods and confirmations, ensuring that despite the chaos of the port, they were all accounted for and prepared for the journey ahead.
Once on board, the ship truly felt like a floating paradise, yet the frustrating symptoms continued their unpredictable appearances.
During the grand welcome dinner, Kozy the dozing koala was halfway through explaining his excitement about the dessert bar when his head suddenly slumped forward. Fatigue had struck, an overwhelming exhaustion that made it impossible to stay awake. His friend, Dora the fennec fox, nudged him gently. “It’s okay, Kozy,” Dora whispered, her voice already a little drowsy. “We can go nap. The dessert bar isn’t going anywhere.” Their shared experience of fatigue and low activity tolerance made them perfect empathetic companions.
The next morning, the seas were a little choppy, and Dizzy the duck found himself feeling increasingly queasy. his dizziness and nausea overwhelmed him. “Oh dear, I don’t think I can make it to the shuffleboard tournament,” he moaned, leaning heavily on his friend, Rosie the Raccoon. Rosie, ever prepared, immediately rummaged in her overflowing bag. “Here, Dizzy,” Rosie offered, pulling out a piece of ginger candy. “I always keep some for my own tummy worries.”
Later, during the highly anticipated pool deck games, Gus the grizzly bear let out a sudden roar, clutching his arm. A sharp, searing pain had flared up in his arm and shoulder, making it impossible to join the tug-of-war. Lia, the lemur, noticing his distress, dug into her satchel. “Here, Gus,” she said, pulling out a small tube. “Try this CBD cream. It sometimes helps with my own aches.
As the sun set, casting a romantic glow over the deck, Camilla the Chameleon was enjoying a quiet moment. Suddenly, her scales began to shift rapidly, from contented green to fiery red, then mournful blue, all within minutes. Her emotion regulation issues were unpredictable. Clara the Calm Crane was relaxing in the hot tub on the deck nearby, and witnessed Camilla’s distress. She slowly made her way to sit next to her friend, offering a comforting presence without a word.
At the lively evening dance, Remy the stylish Rabbit just couldn’t keep still. His legs twitched and thumped uncontrollably, unable to follow the rhythm of the salsa. Geraldine the Goat, who understood leg troubles all too well, moved slowly towards him. “Sometimes,” Geraldine offered, her voice a little stiff, “if you lean into the movement, it can feel less like fighting. Or, just sit with me for a bit.” Remy found a small comfort in their shared experience of restless legs and muscle stiffness.
Over the next few days, even the act of packing for a port excursion brought its own anxiety for Rosie the Raccoon. Her bag was bursting with backup supplies, just in case. She had extra medications, snacks, a spare charger, a mini-first aid kit, and even a tiny emergency blanket. The worry about getting stuck without supplies made her over-prepare for every single possibility. She found Penny the squirrel and Quinby the happy bee nearby. “Are we sure we have everything?” Rosie fretted. “The shops on the island are probably just tourist traps,” added Penny, calculating imaginary costs. Quinby buzzed calmly. “I’ve checked the ship’s itinerary, friends. We’re well-provisioned, and the island does have pharmacies. You’re prepared enough! Let’s just enjoy the ride”
During the captain’s elegant cocktail party, the sophisticated chatter and clinking glasses became too much for Hector the hippy Elephant. A dull throb behind his eyes intensified into a piercing headache. Lia, ever prepared, approached him quietly. “Hector,” she whispered, “I have some Ubrelvy here if you want to try it,” she offered her expensive migraine medication hoping to help him find some relief.
Hummer the Hummingbird, despite his trouble with concentration, managed to enjoy glimpses of the ocean. Erwin the organized eagle, with his sharp focus, would sometimes guide Hummer back to the day’s schedule. “The whale watching is at 3, Hummer! Don’t miss it!” Erwin would call as he flew by, helping to anchor Hummer’s drifting attention.
Oliver the nervous Ostrich found himself constantly fretting. He had accidentally bumped into a waiter, causing a minor spill, and now the guilt of messing up others’ time consumed him. He began to bury his head, muttering apologies. Ash, the yellow giraffe, approached with his sister, Julie. “Oh, Oliver,” Ash said with a chuckle, swaying slightly. “I’ve almost knocked over entire dessert carts with my wobbles! We all have our moments.” Julie nodded reassuringly. Their shared experience of making a scene brought a small measure of comfort to Oliver’s guilt.
And Dora the adorable Fennec Fox and Kozy the cool Koala often found themselves planning their days together, focusing on short, manageable activities. “We can do the morning stretch, and then a long nap by the pool,” Kozy would suggest. “Perfect,” Dora would yawn, their shared low activity tolerance and fatigue were better managed when they could plan activities to do together.
As the cruise sailed on, the animals learned to navigate these unpredictable tides together. Polly the parrot would occasionally lose her words, her confusion and struggles with word finding was evident to others. At trivia on the ship she was given the question “What is the capital of France?” She hesitated, “Umm… umm… Juno!” she finally squawked, looking down at her claws embarrassed, and knowing that wasn’t the right answer. Clara the calm crane would often pause near her. “No rush, Polly,” Clara would say, her serene presence allowing Polly the space and patience to gather her thoughts and complete her sentences.
The cats, Charlie and Charlotte, often shared knowing glances. “Another quick dash to the facilities, Charlie?” Charlotte would whisper, her own bladder dysfunction making her constantly aware of the location of the restrooms. “Lead the way, Charlotte,” Charlie would reply, her bowel issues often requiring similar urgency. They looked out for each other, quietly pointing out the nearest bathrooms everywhere they went.
When Simon the sloth felt his limbs go numb and tingly, his wife, Dotty the monkey, would gently check on him. And when Dotty found her grip inexplicably weak, even dropping an ice cream cone due to weakness in her hands! Simon offered a comforting purr, and bought her a bowl of ice cream instead.
The relentless sun on the deck sometimes made Sammy the German Shepard feel incredibly hot and weak, his heat intolerance symptoms making him constantly seek the shade. Daphne the energetic dolphin, noticing his discomfort, would playfully splash water onto the deck near him, providing a cool mist that offered temporary relief. Sometimes, he would even jump into the water with her, and practice his doggie paddle.
Finally, Fiona the fox often clutched her lower abdomen, letting out soft whimpers as waves of pain swept over her. Her husband, Henry , despite his own forgetfulness, would always remember to bring her a warm compress. “Here, my dear,” Henry would say, his touch steady and comforting, a small gesture that meant the world in moments of pain. They were a quiet pair, sharing a glance of understanding for the unexpected turns their bodies would take, often reminding each other of little things like dinner reservations or the location of their cabin.
The Silver Current cruise became more than just a vacation; it was a testament to resilience, friendship, and the quiet strength found in navigating life’s unpredictable currents together.
What “unpredictable currents” have you learned to navigate?
The Unseen Waves of Shifting Tides originated as my effort to describe my symptoms of MS in a more relatable and relaxed way. Although each of these animals represented here have one or two symptoms each, I have experienced all of them in the last year. I have been learning how to manage (sometimes hide) these symptoms, and dream of a finding a place that allows the reality of these every day struggles to be acknowledged and fought together. I think it is important for all of us to remember that those around us are experiencing challenges that may be unseen to us.
This story was made possible by the creative support and help of Madelyn Williams. Without her, these characters’ pictures and interactions would not be as awesome! HUGE shout out to her.
Also, coming soon – Characters origin stories. Learn more about what brought them to the cruise in the first place, and how they know each other.
