Abby Sunderland, the California teen who wanted to break the record of being the youngest person to sail around the world alone, was set to appear in a reality show after she came home, the New York Post reported on June 14. Her father, Laurence, wanted his seven children to appear on a show about their lives titled ‘Adventures in Sunderland.’

Laurence said that since he’s struggling financially, he signed a contract with Magnetic Entertainment to do the show weeks after Abby set sail. He added that the idea behind it would show the adventures each of his seven children took.

However, the Sunderland family is weathering criticism, as Abby’s voyage was described by critics as “high-risk and poorly planned.” Her satellite phone reception was knocked out last week in the Indian Ocean in the midst of sotrm season. The French ship Ile de las Reunion picked Abby up, and is scheduling to transfer her to another ship so she could go home. Lurence responded by saying “I love my daughter dearly…this was about Abigail following her dream.”

Written by: Karen Benardello

Abby Sunderland