KENT NEWS: A quadriplegic woman who sailed around the UK using just the power of her breath to control her yacht is set to take on another adventure.
Hilary Lister is to tackle the waters of the Middle East and sail solo around the Kingdom of Bahrain.
It will raise awareness and funds for the disabled charity Bahrain Mobility International, known as BMI.
The 37-year-old Oxford graduate from Faversham is paralysed from the neck down. She started using a wheelchair at 15 because of a progressive neurological disorder called reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
She finished the gruelling 14-month sail around the UK last August, becoming the first disabled woman to make the trip solo.
She started and ended in Dover, taking in the coasts of Cornwall, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and then the east coast of England.
The new challenge gets under way next month, with Hilary using her specially adapted 20ft yacht Arty. It is controlled by sipping and puffing on three straws, linked to an innovative control system.
The journey around the coastline of Bahrain is approximately 100 miles and is expected to take Hilary four days. She will set out from Amwaj Marina on April 13 and sail clockwise.
She wants the voyage to challenge people’s views on disability and raise cash for BMI, which provides rehabilitation for disabled people throughout Bahrain.
Hilary said: “I am really looking forward to my visit to Bahrain and embarking on this exciting challenge.
“Before I was introduced to sailing in 2003, my life had reached rock bottom – I was in constant pain and even contemplated taking my own life.
“Since then, I have discovered a new sense of freedom on the water, which has enabled me to achieve things I never thought possible.
“I hope my journey around Bahrain will encourage both disabled and able-bodied people to pursue their own dreams and help raise much-needed funds for Bahrain Mobility International.”
Her remarkable story of courage started when she was 11 and felt pain in her knees. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is an incurable disease that eventually led to her losing the use of all her limbs.
Hilary achieved a 2:1 degree in biochemistry after dictating her papers while an epidural drip was attached to her spine.
Adel Sultan, vice president of BMI said: “Hilary’s courage and determination is very humbling and we are all very excited about meeting her and welcoming her to Bahrain.”
POSTED: 27/03/2010 13:00:00
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