The Starfish Story

Story of the Starfish

The story of the starfish serves as a powerful metaphor for the impact one person can make, no matter how insurmountable the odds. It’s a narrative that celebrates individual effort, reminding us that every small action counts. This story parallels the admirable dedication of those working to support individuals with chromosome 18 abnormalities. It symbolizes the importance of hope and the belief that each act of kindness, each piece of support, enriches lives. Just like the man on the beach, members of the Registry harness their abilities to create positive change—one life at a time.

One at a Time

A friend of ours was walking down a deserted Mexican beach at sunset. As he walked along, he began to see another man in the distance. As he grew nearer, he noticed that the local native kept leaning down, picking something up and throwing it out into the water. Time and again he kept hurling things out into the ocean.

As our friend approached even closer, he noticed that the man was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach and, one at a time, he was throwing them back into the water.
Our friend was puzzled. He approached the man and said, “Good evening, friend. I was wondering what you are doing.”

“I’m throwing these starfish back into the ocean. You see, it’s low tide right now and all of these starfish have been washed up onto the shore. If I don’t throw them back into the sea, they’ll die up here from lack of oxygen.”

“I understand,” my friend replied, “but there must be thousands of starfish on this beach. You can’t possibly get to all of them. There are simply too many. And don’t you realize this is probably happening on hundreds of beaches all up and down this coast. Can’t you see that you can’t possibly make a difference?”

The Local native smiled, bent down and picked up yet another starfish, and as he threw it back into the sea, he replied, “Made a difference to that one!

-Jack Canfield and Mark V. Hansen

In the spirit of the starfish story, the local native mirrors the essence of the Registry members. He didn’t let limitations define his actions; instead, he used his own will and effort to make a difference. This reflects the ethos of the Registry members who, with similar spirit and energy, contribute positively to the lives of those with chromosome 18 abnormalities, proving that determination and a heartfelt approach can indeed create impactful changes. This attitude is celebrated in each member’s commitment to helping others realize their fullest potential.

Story of the Starfish

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