[pct-l] were the Sunderland parents reckless

[Austin Williams]

That young lady comes from a family full of people who - like many PCT thru
hikers - live lives of excellence.  When others are eating Cheetos, wiping
the cheese on their shirt, and flipping to the next reality TV show, this
young lady was learning how to solo sail in dangerous waters.

Most of the population is so terrified of leaving their padded cave, and so
apathetic about the fact that they're life is flying by them faster and
faster each day, that they feel totally content wallowing in their own
mediocrity.  They can't understand why anyone would want to walk 2650 miles
or sail around the world.  Most of them can't even understand why anyone
would want to get off the couch and take a walk in the park!

So, many people were upset when they heard this girl's parents let her make
this record attempt.  They don't understand what it means to take risks to
follow your dreams and achieve something great.  Of course they don't
understand when a *teenage girl* try's to do more with her life by the time
she turns 17 than any of them would ever accomplish if they were given 2
lifetimes.

What her parents did for her was the *antithesis* of child abuse, IMO.  They
trained her well, she responded well to her situation, and I think the mere
*attempt* to sail around the world (at any age) is something to be
applauded.

:)

-- 
Austin Williams

www.PlanYourHike.com
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born outdoors while moving about freely."
   --Friedrich Nietzsche