The people who we support are the reason for our being

The Sea of Dreams Foundation is a nonprofit organization, which provides meaningful, educational programs and high technology tools to the impoverished and those with disabilities.

We strive to break the circle where disabilities bring misery, reduce economic status, hinder social integration and cause untold suffering for those with disabilities and their families.

The Sea of Dreams Foundation is situated in to disadvantaged groups with:
High numbers of people with disabilities
Economic depression and low family income
Low knowledge of technology and science

Employment Dreams Perfected is the program which focuses on empowering people with disabilities and other disadvantaged youths and adults with the resources (high quality, individualized training and employment coordination) needed to create real choice and acceptable options for long-term, unsubsidized employment.

Digital Ride is one of the Sea of Dreams programs which brings science and technology to families in disadvantaged communities which do not have the funds to learn about new technology and science.

The Sea of Dreams program, Ocean of Potentiality operates Science and Technology camps three times a year. The camps are designed to excite disadvantaged students about science and technology by making science fun, while demonstrating that it is a viable career choice.

Below, please find the letter Dr. Radtke received from a person who volunteered her time at one of the Camps. This letter will provide an understanding of what the Sea of Dreams Foundation provides for many individuals who have found and understand the reason for existence of this important program.

As some of you know, this past weekend I participated in an "Ocean of Potentiality" science and technology camp for high school students and young adults with disabilities (actually one who would like to participate). This was the third Ocean of Potentiality camp that I have volunteered for as a camp scientist and counselor. During this camp I led an activity to teach students how to prepare wet-mount slides and use microscopes to view calcium oxolate crystals in taro (we collected earlier from Ka'ala Farms) using polarizing filters. The polarizing filters were a hit and the activity was fairly enjoyed by most.

Earlier that day at the farm, I met Moria, a 14-year-old girl originally from the Federated States of Micronesia. Moria was shy. She had some type of physical disability that effected her walking ? she had a rocking/waddling gait. Moria was not a part of the group of students I worked with on the microscopes.  However, later that evening while the campers and counselors were relaxing after dinner, Moria approached me and asked what I was doing at the camp. I told her I was teaching people how to use microscopes. She asked me what a microscopes was for. She also told me she saw microscopes in one of her classes before, but the teacher did not allow her to use them because, as Moria explained, "the teacher thought I had a mental problem, or something, because of the way I walked, so I only watched the other students use the microscopes." As a woman, a scientist, and a person with the physical disability - you can imagine how I felt when I heard this.

About a micro-second later, I had her infront of a microscope. Fortunately I had two microscopes, one for her, one for me. I told her to watch, listen, and imitate me as we worked to make the slides and view them. Moria was a natural. With just a little assistance with focusing the microscope, Moria independently made beautiful sections and outperformed any college student I have taught. This was exciting and we started looking around for all kinds of this to make slides of. The most fun was when she made a slide of two hairs, one of her's, dark and thick, the other white and thin from one of the counselors. This simple slide brought so much interest and fun for the youth and adults alike - people marveled at the "frail, thin, translucency" of the white hair against the Moria's "healthy, rich, brown hair".

As people came to see what the excitement was and wanted to see other things, I stepped back and asked Moria to show them how to use the microscopes and place slides correctly on the stage. I now know how it feels to be a proud parent, your heart pounding with excitement as you hold back tears of joy.

The next day - her counselor told me that Moria said [science with microscopes] was what she wanted to do
as a career.

What I was able to share with Moria reminded me of how exciting those simple, first science awakenings are. It also reminded me of how fortunate I am to be in my position.


If you are interested in volunteering for Ocean of Potentiality, or know a kid (with or without a disability) that would benefit from field oriented science, Hawaiian culture, dancing, computer technology, and many more activities, please visit the web site for more info.  http://www.oceanofpotentiality.org

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PS -
I didn't tell you, the next day at the tide pools - Moria was dressed head to toe in long pants and shirt. I asked her if she was going to go into the tide pools or swim. She said no to both, explaining her inability to go into the water because of her prosthetic leg. I understood that she was self-conscious about her leg. I did not push further, but when it came time to go swimming (and you know how much I LOVE to swim!) I stripped of my clothes (bathing suit on of course!) and headed towards the water with my bamboo canes. I passed Moria along the way - she was sitting on the beach now, listening to her CD player, still covered head to toe. I asked her once more if she would go swim - No was the answer. Suit yourself - I was water bound. After some time swimming I started coming out of the water, only to see a completely soaked, laughing, frolicking Moria in the water! She was in a t-shirt and shorts, with her prosthetic leg. I was so happy! Lent her my swimming goggles for a try - and watched her plunge herself repeatedly in the shallow water.

Her friend, Nancy, was by the shore laughing with her - completely elated that Moria was in the water. Nancy told me that Moria, after I last spoke to her on the beach, watched me walk down to the water with my canes, and once I was in the ocean swimming, she made a bee-line to the bathroom to change into swimming clothes! How's that for putting the icing on the cake!


Between Moria and Lea - I truly understood my purpose, my meaning, for being at camp.

As I said earlier, thank you.