Our mission is to change lives

by Andrew Sheard

改變生命是我們的使命！

Sailability had the opportunity to speak at a webinar in April hosted by the Nautical Institute of Hong Kong— the professional organisation for maritime professionals in HK. Sailability CEO and Co-Founder, Kay Rawbone, Para Sailor, Foo Yuen Wai, and Director, Catherine Smith, all contributed to the presentation.

Award-winning sailor Foo Yuen Wai told the webinar that when he was a small child, he could walk but at age three, polio changed his life. Since then, he has used a wheelchair and reminded everyone to “cherish our healthy bodies.”

Surprisingly, he admitted to getting nervous about sailing before he gets into his yacht saying it is because he cannot swim, but once the boat leaves the pontoon he relaxes; “The sea is like a mother cradling a child” he said. “My advice to anyone thinking about sailing is to try. At least do not say no without trying it.”

In 2014, Sailability HK took part in the Asia Paralympic Games in South Korea and even though this was early in Foo’s sailing career, he managed to make it onto the team. The water conditions in Seoul were different to HK; the waves were rough, the temperature lower, and the wind stronger. Many competitors from other countries were more accustomed to the conditions than the HK team. Foo said, “I fought hard and managed to win one race and finished third overall for a bronze medal.”

航能有幸於香港航運專業組 織香港航海學會４月主辦的一 個網上研討會主講分享。航能 的 CEO 兼聯合創始辦人 Kay Rawbone、傷健帆船運動員付 遠威及總監 Catherine Smith 均 參與其中。

獲獎傷健帆船運動員付遠威於 網上研討會講到，他小時候能 步行，但三歲的時候，小兒麻痹 症改變了他的生命。自此他便 需要以輪椅代步，並提醒大家 要「珍惜健康的身體」。

令人驚奇的是，他坦言，在坐上 游艇前他會對航海感到緊張，因 爲他不會游泳。但當船離開了浮 橋，他就能放鬆下來，並形容「大 海就像一個抱着孩子的母親。」「 我建議想嘗試去航海的人放膽去 試。至少別在嘗試之前說不。」

在2014年，航能香港參加了於南 韓舉行亞洲殘奧會。雖然付遠 威的航海運動生涯處於起步的 階段，但他仍能成功晉級。有別 於香港，首爾的海面波濤洶湧， 溫度更低，風更強。 很多來自 其他國家的選手都比香港隊更 熟悉這些環境條件。付遠威表 示：「我奮力作戰，終於在其中 一場賽事中贏得第一，並取得整 個比賽的銅牌。」

Kay Rawbone said that Foo is a “strong character” and told the webinar that Sailability HK is one of the busiest Sailability centres in the world. Sailability is an NGO that reaches out to people with different abilities, age groups (both older and younger), sexual orientations, and statuses. She said, “Our mission is to change lives. We provide opportunities and a pathway to sailing qualifications.” She reported that one young sailor who started sailing on a Sailability programme had been selected for the HK national squad this year.

Since its inception in 2009, 14,316 people have sailed with Sailability of which 12,135 are people with disabilities. Sailing is one of the most inclusive sports where physical and intellectually disabled people or those who have had a life-changing accident or illness and are able-bodied can take part together.

Catherine Smith, Director, Sailability Hong Kong, told the webinar there are many ways for companies and individuals to contribute to Sailability, including volunteering, joining the Race Management team, sponsoring a sailor or an event, joining the monthly donation scheme, or joining for a corporate team-building day.

Kay Rawbone 形容付 遠威是一個「狠角色」 ，並告訴研討會參加 者，航能香港是全球最 繁忙的航海中心之一。 航能是一個非牟利組 織，為不同程度殘障、 不同年齡層（不論老 少）、性取向和階層的 人伸出援手。她表示： 「改變生命是我們的 使命。我們提供機會和 取得航海資格的途徑。 」她提及一位經由航能 計劃認識航海運動的 年輕航員今年入選了 香港代表隊。

自2009年成立以來，航 能陪伴14,316人一同揚 帆出海，當中12,135位 是傷殘人士。航海運動 是最具包容性的體育 項目之一，身體和智力 障礙人士、經歷過改變 人生的事故或疾病的 人士，以及身體健全的 人都可以一起參加。

航 能 香 港 總 監 Catherine Smith 在網 上研討會中表示，公 司和個人都可以透過 多種方式參予航能的 活動，包括參與義工 服務、加入比賽管理 團隊、贊助航員或活 動、參加每月捐贈計 劃或參加企業團隊建 設日等。