My Advice For Abby Sunderland

The judgment of teen sailor Abby Saunderland’s parents has been questioned ever since their 16-year old was rescued from the Indian Ocean. Now, rumors about an upcoming reality show have surfaced claiming that her cash strapped father, Lawrence Saunderland, had begun taping a reality show about his daring kids.

But, the family has been back and forth on their stories for weeks about whether or not the reality show is in the works.

Four months ago, a month after Abby set sail, the New York Post reported the Sunderland family “opened their home to film crews,” to shoot a reality show called Adventures in Sunderland with Magnetic Entertainment.

However, soon after, he pulled out of the arrangement, possibly because he believed the production company was hoping Abby’s voyage would end in her death, thereby giving them a much more dramatic story.

Claim #1:

Next, Abby blogged that she planned to write a book about her adventure. Her mother, Marianne Sunderland, claimed the family had no deals in the making.

“There is no reality TV show, there’s no documentary that’s going to be made, there’s no book deal,” she said.

Claim #2:

Despite the family’s protestations, the Australian Herald Sun reported that there were cameras on Abby’s yacht, Wild Eyes.

It has also been suggested that the Sunderland family may be responsible for the cost of Abby’s rescue. But for now, Australia and France, the two nations that assisted in the rescue of Abby, have not indicated whether or not they will seek reimbursement.

Perhaps the Sunderlands can use their new reality deal to cover the costs?

Regardless of all the rumors, I find it quite disturbing that parents would allow their daughter to be put in danger for only– money? fame? both?

Abby has supposedly been training for this voyage since she was 13, and the amount of courage this young girl has is remarkable. Regardless, I am hoping that the Sunderland family story is not just another Balloon Boy incident, seeking fame and fortune at any cost. To me, it was a miracle that Abby was rescued and her story should be told – but not through a reality show. It really just makes the Sunderland family look desperate for money and as if they do not care about their children.

There are many stories of children pulled from a normal existence to reach for dreams and stardom. Think Tiger Woods. Think Michael Jackson. We keep hearing that Abby is just an extraordinary teen with wild ambitions, exceptional skills and maturity beyond her age. Pardon me if I am just a little skeptical – I can only wonder what this is all about. Besides risking her life, this young woman has been cast out on the open seas all alone with way too much risk to accomplish what and for what reason? Maybe we will know one day soon, stay tuned.