Beyond The Water And Wind

By Linda McGowan The wind blows through my hair and the sun warms my shoulders. I can taste cold saltwater on my lips and feel the bite of it splashing my face. The thrill of moving independently through the water in a 16-foot sailboat produces overwhelming sensations of joy and peace. But it was not always like this. Progressive MS (multiple sclerosis) has altered my abilities in relation to many things; most significant to me are outdoor recreational activities. For many years, I ran short and long distances, hiked in the wilderness, cross-country skied and canoed, and I keenly missed doing those things. I started looking for substitutes.

I returned to wilderness hiking through BCMOS (BC Mobility Opportunities Society). I traversed alpine meadows in a TrailRider, a comfortable mobility gizmo that is a cross between a rickshaw and a wheelbarrow. During one of these precious hikes, a friend encouraged me to seek another source of outdoor recreation that would place me in the sun, below the sky, but this time on the water. Of course, I was hesitant. I had never been in a small sailboat, much less steered one on my own. Nevertheless, I agreed to do it. On the day of the outing, the words "You can do it, it will be fun, just give it a try" echoed in my ears at 5 a.m. as I anticipated my first scheduled sail.

Commitment, the internal motivation to carry on when the chips are down, is necessary for everyone in life, but most importantly for those whose incredibly active life has been altered by physical disability. There are only two choices. One is to sit at home, moan and groan and complain that life is not fair. The second is to take what you have and do the best that you can with it. I was determined to maximize my abilities and capitalize on every opportunity that was presented to me. I transferred from my manual wheelchair to my power wheelchair and headed off on the 90-minute trek - wheel, sky train, bus, wheel -  through the park to Vancouver's Jericho Sailing Centre.

A guardian angel in the form of a volunteer emerged from the small office. Immediate reassurance was offered, and I was quickly assisted into a boat to begin my education. The 16-foot sailboat was launched into English Bay. Moderate winds and light rain dissolving into sunshine, along with patient instruction and encouragement from an invaluable volunteer, made my first experience positive. The boats around me, skippered by experienced and very capable crews, caught the wind in their sails and scampered effortlessly over the waves. They seemed to greet each other cheerfully in passing.

Although I was a novice and knew nothing about the sailing process, I was encouraged enough during my first sail that I left with a warm, excited, satisfied feeling. I would come again!

I returned three more times that summer, each time gaining a little more knowledge and developing a little more confidence, but still feeling as green as grass. Over the winter, I attended some sailing lectures presented by the Disabled Sailing Association. With each lesson, I felt myself experiencing a holistic effect. The benefits were definitely greater than the sum of the parts!

Sailing is inclusive and open to all people with disabilities. Through adaptive sailing, children of all ages with a variety of developmental and physical disabilities interact with the waves and water. Marked restrictions in activities of daily living are easily accommodated by recreational adaptive sailing. Some sailors can climb in and out of a boat with minimal assistance. Others can use a mesh sling and a lift, which makes the process safer for all - the person with the disability, the staff and volunteers.

Inside the boat, the Power Assist is a system that allows people with significant disabilities to sail with electric or sip- and-puff controls. An amazing sight is to watch a sailor in an adaptive boat glide over the water, knowing that he is guiding it skillfully by sipping and puffing on a hollow glass tube.

What has the experience of adaptive sailing given to me? Sailing allowed me to see Vancouver from a new perspective. This precious urban cluster is surrounded and protected by mountains and the sea. It is my home. My competitive nature has been nurtured. I compete with myself, trying to improve upon what I learned the last outing. Each time I sail with a different volunteer - or even if I sail solo - a new light emerges. I have met wonderful friends, incredible volunteers, other sailors and their companions. The horizon continues to expand. The progression from being a green stick novice to a solo sailor to racing and the Mobility Cup, an international regatta for adaptive sailors hosted annually in Canada, are attainable goals if the spirit moves you. However, the pleasure of the sun on your shoulders and moving independently through the water is enough.

There are times when one needs to take one's place with other adventurers, with or without disabilities. Maybe this summer is the time to do it!

Linda McGowan lives and sails in Vancouver and travels worldwide. For more adaptive sailing information and stories, visit the Canadian Yachting Association at www.sailing.ca.