So if you view my YouTube channel, it won’t come as any surprise at all that I have been spending a bit of time out on the water here in North Wales recently; which is something I have been longing to do for so many years.
I have rarely been out on the water in North Wales over the years I’ve lived here (if you average it), but I was, for a long time, aiming to buy a boat so I could spend more time out at sea. Due to multiple situations, that dream never happened, but the longing to be out on the water never went away.
When I found myself in a wheelchair, I thought I would have to give up on a lot of dreams like that. I almost gave in completely, thinking that this stuff just wasn’t for me anymore. I’ve always been an outdoorsy type of person, and I feel so restricted in my chair.
It’s made worse too because we spend quite a lot of time at docks, harbours, and ports filming for one of our other YouTube channels. There’s often a lot of watersports going on, especially in the summer, and, well; no-one exactly looks at you and thinks ‘you’re a great fit for going out on the water’.
That was until I found SEAS Sailability. I found them via a social media post advertising what they did, and I got in contact. We did a bit of arranging and then went for the open day. I did what I usually do and sat in the corner of the docks out of the way, watching other people having fun on the water.
Then, a chap comes over (noticing we’re not doing anything, and not wearing buoyancy aids), and asks if we’re interested in doing something? That was cool already. Even though I knew they supported people, it was brilliant being asked. I was still a bit unsure about what I would be able to get onto/transfer onto though, and when I vocalised this, the most incredible answer came back to me.
“What do YOU want to go on?”
I couldn’t believe it. Not only were they able to support people on the water, but they pretty much insisted they would get anyone, onto anything. So I tested him. “yeah, but – obviously not the paddle board, right!?”, I muttered. To which the reply came “even that if you like, we have a winch on the dock, and even a sacrificial wheelchair if you don’t want to get yours covered in sea water.”
From then on, even though we go infrequently, I’ve felt just that little bit more free. I know I can go, and I know that when I do, I can go out on anything I fancy, because they will support me to transfer, and support me on the water if I need.
Since then, Cerys and I have been on some Canadian Canoes, a Wheelyboat (a wheelchair landing craft wth a 90hp engine), a sailing boat (where I literally learned the ropes), and Cerys has been on a Kayak.
Impressive though it already is, it gets even better. It’s not just there to support disabled folk, but also their carers, families and friends. They’re absolutely fantastic, and I cannot shout their praises from a high enough rooftop (providing someone helps me back down).
Stay safe, active and happy.
Emma
PS: here’s some videos from said adventures.