Tag Archives: shiloh pepin

“Some people are the same and some people are different,” said Shiloh Pepin, aka Mermaid Girl, who was different, alright. She said a lot of profound things for a little girl with a flipper. I have been following Shiloh’s story for the last two years as a series of TLC documentaries captured her swimming ahead in spite of the many challenges she faced as one of three known people living with Mermaid Syndrome. I think the moment I fell in love with her was when she was being fitted for a custom wet suit and she turned to a woman in the shop and shouted jubilantly, “I’m a mermaid!” “Yes!” I thought. I’m a mermaid, too! Just without a flipper. I am awkward, unsure, and fumbling through life—we all are. But Shiloh was able to embrace … no, own, her challenges in a way that I am envious of. For that, the little mermaid will always in inspire me. Keep reading »