60 Minutes Season 39 Episode 17 Swimming to Antarctica, Rex, The Orphanage
- December 24, 2006
In season 39 episode 17 of 60 Minutes, titled "Swimming to Antarctica, Rex, The Orphanage," viewers are taken on a journey through three separate segments exploring various topics of interest.
The first segment, "Swimming to Antarctica," follows the story of Lynne Cox, a long-distance open water swimmer who embarked on a record-setting swim in the freezing waters of Antarctica. The segment covers the challenges Lynn faces during her swim including the risk of hypothermia, swimming near icebergs and the threat of predatory sea lions. The interview with Lynne Cox sheds light on her determination to push boundaries and achieve greatness in extreme conditions. Viewers will be inspired by her perseverance and drive for success.
The second segment, "Rex," tells the story of a military veteran and his service dog. Rex was a German Shepherd who assisted Marine Corporal Megan Leavey in Iraq before retiring and becoming a companion to her back home. The segment explores how Rex and Megan formed an unbreakable bond and the lengths they went through to save each other. Rex was eventually injured in the line of duty and retired from service, but his bond with his handler, Megan, remained unbroken until his passing.
The final segment of this episode, "The Orphanage," takes viewers inside a Guatemalan orphanage that has been rocked by allegations of child sex abuse by one of its former directors. The segment offers an in-depth look at how the orphanage authorities deal with the allegations and the impact it had on the children and staff. The segment highlights the challenges of ensuring the safety of children in such institutions and raising awareness about potential abuse.
Overall, season 39 episode 17 of 60 Minutes provides thought-provoking and inspiring insights into the challenges and triumphs of individuals who push boundaries and seek greatness. It also unpacks the complexity of military service dogs, their handlers and the deep emotional bonds that exist between them, and finally explores the impact of child abuse allegations on organizational culture and the wellbeing of those affected.