Missing Kayak Threatens Setback for Deaf Endurance Kayaker

Like the Amazon river, life too can be unpredictable. With less than a week away from his Intaba Paddle for Deaf Education, to set a new world record by documenting the fastest time by kayak on the Amazon between Pucallpa Peru and Belem, Brazil, Murdock Henderson received disheartening news: his kayak for the trip (docked in Peru) had been vandalized, and ultimately confiscated.

“Surely, all of this has not come down for nothing,” remarked Henderson after he was notified of the incident this morning, just days before he was to travel to South America intent to not only set a new Endurance Kayak World record, but to also increase awareness to the needs of deaf children worldwide.

What could have been a devastating set-back, has only strengthened his resolve. “The mission still lives, as there are some 190 million Deaf children around the world that need us,” says Henderson. Deaf since birth, this 48 year old father of 5 from Anne Arundel Maryland is on a mission to instill hope in a generation of Deaf children who live in parts of the world where equal opportunities simply do not exist.

The “Paddle” is the springboard for Intaba's overall mission: to educate society and people who are otherwise discarded as human beings because they can't hear or be heard. “Intaba Paddle for Deaf Education” will increase awareness to the global need, while the Intaba organization will provide these communities with the educational next steps.

Within the last 48 hours Henderson now has the added challenge of acquiring a new kayak as well as getting it transported to Peru in time to launch by mid- July. Henderson is grateful to Vincent Bechet and Guto Campos from Epic Kayaks for their assistance, (Epic V6 Kayak pictured) but more funds are now needed due to the extra costs involved.

To learn more about the work of Intaba in the deaf community, please visit Facebook, or Go-Fund-Me, or contact us directly at: intabadeafed@gmail.com