Have you heard about this doozy of a family ...
Charlotte and Eric Kaufman recently set sail on the new leg of their around-the-world journey with daughters, Lyra, 1, and Cora, 3. Two adults, an infant and a small child aboard a 36-foot sailboat. What could possibly go wrong? Also keep in mind it was a "new leg" as in this journey has been going on for quite some time.
Anyway, about two weeks into their trip Lyra became violently ill and they needed to make a distress call. She had diarrhea, fevers, a large rash and was vomiting. According to Master Sgt. Klay Bendle, "She wasn't quite on death's door yet, but a couple more days she would've been." Their boat also lost its steering and communication abilities.
The California Air National Guard and the Navy (a Navy warship and 177 sailors) worked together and sent four pararescuemen, who jumped from a plane into the ocean and climbed aboard the Rebel Heart (of course it has a pretentious name like this) to treat Lyra. The boat was found 900 miles off the coast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The family was headed toward islands in the South Pacific and eventually New Zealand. In a few days Lyra's condition stabilized and they awaited further transportation.
What happened to the Rebel Heart? It was sunk to the bottom of the ocean.
How much did this rescue mission cost hardworking American taxpayers?!? I understand they don't want people to second guess themselves out on the high seas, thinking they'll get a big, fat bill, because every second counts but ... what about people putting their own lives at risk? However, according to The San Diego Union Tribune, the rescue cost an estimated $660,000.
Also, if you were Eric or Charlotte, what would you feel ... embarrassed? Stupid? Ashamed of yourself for risking your children's lives?
This is their statement concerning the event:
"We understand there are those who question our
decision to sail with our family, but please know that this is how our
family has lived for seven years, and when we departed on this journey
more than a year ago, we were then and remain today confident that we
prepared as well as any sailing crew could. The ocean is one of the
greatest forces of nature, and it always has the potential to overcome
those who live on or near it. We are proud of our choices and our
preparation, and while we are disappointed that we lost our sailboat and
our home, we remain grateful for those who came to our aid and those
family and friends who continue to encourage and support us. Thank you."
Are you serious? Seven years ... wait, that means you were on your adventure and instead of settling down for the sake of your children, giving them the consistency and security babies crave, you continued going because .... because ... why?It's important when they first set off from San Diego on this part of their adventure, Charlotte was preggers with Lyra. They stopped in Mexico for the birth -- I can just imagine the travel itinerary. How stupid of me to schedule prenatal appointments when I was pregnant and take every precaution. I should have lived my dream of driving across the United States! Also, Lyra had salmonella in Mexico, along with Charlotte, but their pediatrician assured them Lyra was over it and safe to travel when they set off again on their voyage last month.
I obviously don't know these people but I am a firm believer actions speak louder than words so let's take a look at their actions. She said they were prepared ... I guess because Eric is a Coast Guard-licensed captain but I don't care if he's the captain of the USS Enterprise, babies, especially a sick one and a newborn, have no business on a boat in the middle of the ocean. Why is the threat of danger worth it?
In an article about this family I saw a link to Charlotte and Eric's blog, which began in 2007 ...
"We will slowly delete all the comments from the internet armchair quarterbacks who know nothing about us, our life, our skills, or, I might add, sailing."
Internet armchair quarterbacks? So, I'm sitting here on the Internet while you're playing the real game? The only game you're playing is Russian Roulette with people's lives. Also, we know nothing about you? Too bad, so sad honey because you have chronicled your life in a blog since 2007 so, yes, we know a lot about you!
On the blog she also complained about negative interviews her "nuclear family" are giving ... "Then again, these are the same family members who claim that my sister and I are lying about the sexual abuse we suffered from my father, who, to this day, remains an unprosecuted, unregistered sex offender." In her blog this sentence is linked to an entire entry, complete with photos, about her father and how he abused her and her sister. Wow, not going to go there.
This is some of the other shit she writes in her blog:
"April should be a big month. Taxes (ugh). I get the results of the CSET. I find out if I get accepted into a teaching program I’m looking into and ... Eric and I just might decide to move onto the boat. And I mean move onto the boat soon."
We don't have any money and I don't want to work like normal, hardworking Americans do so let's just move onto our boat when times get rough. Am I right? Do they even pay taxes, taxes that will pay for their idiotic rescue?
"I made cake last night, in force five conditions. I actually like force five on this boat (we had the same kind of conditions on our last crossing of the Sea of Cortez and I had a great time.) The only problem is force five with tiny kids on board. Oh well." Oh well? OH WELL? These are human beings. Helpless human beings. Are you insane? How can someone be this selfish? Ever heard of over stimulation? Ever heard of creating a calm environment so your child can thrive and feel comforted and safe? Did you read a baby book?
"When Cora woke up this morning she asked for some of the treat I was making last night because she had smelled it baking as she fell asleep. I lied and told her we ate it up; all the while, the rest of the cake sat on the counter by the dish rack, just waiting for Eric and I to devour it this evening with a cup of coffee, in silence, once the girls were asleep. Sorry for lying to you, Cora. One day, when you are a parent, you will understand."
MOTHER OF THE YEAR. I'm guessing your children didn't get immunizations while you were fulfilling your dreams. Maybe special Mexican immunizations because what's the difference, right? Maybe your own injections of mashed up kelp and sea water?
Your dreams. Your wishes. Your boat. Your adventure. The kids are just along for the ride, right? Oops, I got pregnant. Sure Baby, you can tag along. Why not? A child shouldn't mean I have to give up MY dreams. Selfish, selfish, selfish.
I need to stop reading the broad's blog because I'm starting to get pissed and, more importantly, I have children to raise. My children aren't out in harm's way in a boat in the middle of the ocean so I can go to New Zealand. We aren't at risk for high winds, storms or who knows what. We are in a house, in a calm environment where they can eat, sleep, play and dream. Where they can thrive because everything is new to them.
Do I do this because it's fun for me? No way. I don't enjoy being stuck in the house most of the time but it's what is best for them and that's what is important.
Charlotte's sister is working with friends in San Diego to collect donations for the Kaufmans because they lost most of their belongings. The best gift would be to take those poor children away from those selfish morons.
