The Fishstrong Foundation was willed into being, a labor of love and dedication to show Jeffrey that we took to heart everything he taught us, and that we would carry his legacy on after he left us. I can’t say it wasn’t hard, because it was. I was unprepared for what to expect, what to say, what to do, what was needed or required, I just knew we had to take a leap of faith and see what happened. To my continued surprise (and great relief), people have been nothing but positive, supportive and helpful. Looking back on the first 6 months of our Foundation, I wanted to share a few things I’ve learned in that time.
1. Jeffrey’s story is so powerful it transcends cultures, continents and generations.
2. Pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone and perceived limits is the most rewarding experience, regardless of outcomes.
3. The Fishstrong Foundation is bound for greatness.
Jeffrey’s friends span the globe, and I’ve heard about how they talk to people where they are about Jeff. While these people are unfamiliar with the ‘shaka’, they can relate to personal loss all too easily, and fiery resistance and resiliency has different names in different languages, but the respect it bears is the same. Jeffrey was a man of the world, and the fact that his story is truly international in its impact never ceases to amaze me.
When the concept for Fishstrong Foundation was finally ready to be realized, we reached out to the Rotary Foundation, as they had been such a support for Jeff and his family in the past. After we presented our cause to them, they were so enthusiastic, they agreed to adopt us and serve as our umbrella non-profit. Fishmas (credit for the idea and lots of work goes to Danny Siegel) was an idea to generate funds to start the Foundation. It grew to become a month-long event and Christmas tree farm, and despite terrible weather, the busyness of the holiday season, and the total lack of anyone knowing what they were doing, was a success. While the direction for the Fishstrong Foundation was uncertain in the beginning, we were all driven by the desire to see Jeffrey’s wishes come to life.
