Everyone included in Cowes Week fun
182 people enjoyed boat trips that were accessible to children and adults with all kinds of disabilities.
Cowes Sailability Club’s annual Cowes Week event was another great success. Over a five-day period, the charity organised free, accessible boat trips for children and adults who have disabilities, enabling them to have an exciting experience with their families or carers. In total 182 people enjoyed a fun day out on the water.
The participants this year included children with complex and profound disabilities, as well young people with physical disabilities and learning or communication difficulties. Among the adults were amputees, people with dementia, stroke survivors and veterans living with post-traumatic stress. Everyone was excited to have the opportunity to take part in an outdoor activity that otherwise would be very hard for them to access.
Cowes Sailability Club secured funding for its Cowes Week event this year from five sponsors: the Isle of Wight High Sheriff’s Trust, Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding,Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club, Dasie Rich Trust and WightAID.
“Our sponsors have enabled us to run an event for disabled people that is accessible and inclusive,” says Roger Sutton, Commodore of Cowes Sailability Club. “The Isle of Wight is surrounded by water, but so often people with disabilities—and young people in particular—just don’t have the same opportunities as others to enjoy water-based activities. I really hope our sponsors know just how much we appreciate their support and what a difference they have made to people’s lives this summer.”
Cowes Sailability Club chartered a wheelchair-accessible motor catamaran for its Cowes Week event. Owned and operated by the Wetwheels Solent CIC, the vessel has been specially adapted to cater for people with disabilities and can accommodate up to ten passengers, including three wheelchair users. The trips embarked from East Cowes with the kind permission of East Cowes Marina.
Max
Fun-loving Max has dystonic cerebral palsy which affects his ability to participate in many of the activities that his school friends enjoy, such as football. With the support of Cowes Sailability Club, however, he can take part in boat trips in his wheelchair and even experience the exhilaration of driving the boat. “Max gets to do everything that everyone else does and has a fantastic time,” says his mum Hollie. “It makes such a difference for him to feel included in an exciting activity.”
Bob
Retiree Bob recently had a leg amputated and is still getting used to using a prosthetic limb. As well as recovering physically, he is adjusting mentally to the changes in his life. “I’m not only learning to walk again but also rebuilding my confidence after a very difficult time,” he admits. “The trip was an adventure, which really took my mind off other things. It lifted my mood and showed me that there are still exciting new things that I can do.”
Lisa
24-year-old Lisa has Downs syndrome and charmed Cowes Sailability Club’s volunteers with her smiles and cheery personality. Once on the boat, it soon became clear that she loves speed! “She liked going really fast through the waves and feeling the wind and sea spray in her face,” says her dad Stephen. “It was great for her to be able to enjoy such an adventurous day out along with her mum and dad. She had a smile on her face the whole time!
