About the Book
The Ocean Touches Me is a gentle sensory story inspired by mindfulness, presence, and the ocean.
Created for children and families, the story invites readers into a calm experience of noticing, breathing, and connection through the natural world.
The Book — Select Pages
Acknowledgements
The Ocean Touches Me was inspired by Savannah, whose quiet curiosity, courage, and unique way of experiencing the world continue to teach those around her the beauty of slowing down and noticing.
With heartfelt gratitude to her parents, Alexandra and Matt, for generously allowing me to share a small part of Savannah's journey and for their encouragement throughout this project.
Thank you to the families of the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation community for your strength, generosity, and willingness to share your experiences. Your voices continue to shape this story.
This prototype edition has been created to gather feedback from families, educators, therapists, clinicians, advocates, and others who share a passion for helping children connect with the world around them as the book continues to evolve.
Your voice matters. If this story brings back a memory, reminds you of someone you love, or inspires an idea, I warmly invite you to share your thoughts by email using the contact information below. Every story and every suggestion helps shape the journey ahead.
Thank you for helping shape the next chapter of this journey.
— Donna M. Kocak
PMS Acknowledgement
Inspired by children and families connected to the PMS community.
Learn more about Phelan-McDermid Syndrome → pmsf.org
A Mindful Reflection
The ocean never asks us to hurry. It arrives, it touches, it recedes — and it always returns. In this way, the ocean is one of our oldest teachers of presence.
The Ocean Touches Me is more than a story about a child at the shore. It is an invitation to slow down, to listen, and to remember that every child experiences the world in their own sacred way.
Some children meet life through words. Some through movement. Some through silence, sensation, rhythm, color, touch, or sound. Some feel the wind long before they trust the water. Some watch the waves for a good while before letting them reach their toes. There is no wrong way to arrive at the shore. The ocean welcomes each of us exactly as we are.
And in this gentle story, the ocean becomes a loving teacher. It does not rush. It does not ask the child to be different. It simply arrives, wave by wave, offering presence in each moment.
The ocean comes close, then moves away. The wind brushes the face. The light changes. And through it all, the child is given space to notice, to feel, to breathe, and to just be.
Mindfulness is not something we have to force upon children. Sometimes it is already there in the simplest moments: bare feet in the sand, a deep breath, the sound of water, the feeling of being safe enough to stay.
For children who feel the world deeply, and for the families who love them, this story offers something tender and profound. It reminds us that calm can begin with gentleness. Connection can happen without any words. Healing can be found in rhythm, repetition, and presence.
And perhaps most beautifully, it reminds us that every child deserves to be met exactly where they are.
Like the ocean itself, this book holds space.
It touches softly.
It listens.
And in its quiet way, it helps us remember:
I am here.
I am safe.
I am connected.
With Love & Blessings,
Anthony Profeta, IMTA-CMP
Meditation Teacher & Integrative Wellness Provider
Contact
donna@theoceantouchesme.com