Finding Healing Waters:
Vaunita Goodman's Journey
What happens when a performing artist's life is suddenly tethered to a dialysis machine? For Vaunita Goodman, this unexpected reality became the catalyst for a profound transformation and a revolutionary approach to healing.
In 2017, Vaunita's vibrant career as a performing artist came to an abrupt halt with her diagnosis of end-stage renal failure. The transition to regular hemodialysis treatments wasn't merely a medical intervention—it forced a complete reimagining of her identity and future, plunging her into periods of deep hopelessness and anxiety.
It was an unexpected encounter with sailing in 2018 that charted a new course in her healing journey. The experience didn't just offer temporary respite; it fundamentally transformed her understanding of what was possible while living with kidney disease. This revelation, born from her own struggle navigating healthcare systems while creatively managing a serious chronic condition, revealed systemic barriers that greatly affect stress-burdened populations. From this insight, Dialysis to the Docks emerged in 2024.
Creating Waves of Change
Dialysis to the Docks addresses access inequities by bringing diverse populations onto the water, empowering participants to rediscover their resilience through sailing, and building community by creating space for authentic storytelling. Our program harnesses "blue space medicine"—the therapeutic power of water environments—through monthly sailing experiences departing from Baltimore's historic harbor sites.
In a healthcare landscape increasingly recognizing the limitations of clinical care alone, we position ourselves as a vital complementary healthcare practice. By reconnecting people with water's healing potential, we're not just offering recreation—we're pioneering a new model of care that addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of healing for communities confronting chronic illness.
Our Collaborators & Supporters
