Quinte SailAbility celebrates 10 years

By Linda Horn

TRENTON ONT (19/07/2011) Fletch President and Co Founder of Quinte SailAbility points out how the lift is used to Ontario's Lieutenant Governor David C Onley. Onley was at the sailing school to celebrate its 10th anniversary. SailAbiltiy works to remove barriers and give disabled people a chance to sail on their own. Photo by Linda Horn

CFB Trenton yacht club played host to special guests including The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David. C Onley for the 10^th anniversary of Quinte SailAbility.

The event held this past Tuesday included speeches, presentations, and a demonstration, illustrating how the lift is used for sailors who need assistance getting in and out of the boats.

Quinte SailAbility is a sailing program for people of all ages with a disability. According to co founder Dorothy Fletcher they will accept any disability including developmental disabilities.

Students pay $150 for a membership for the 10-week sailing season.  The students and school fundraise to keep the school running. They can also help students that cannot afford the $150 membership fee. So they can still join.

Dorothy’s husband Fletch is President and Co- Founder says,

“We are here to remove the barriers to allow people to enjoy the therapeutic, beauty, activity and freedom of sailing on ones own.”

Onley is Ontario’s first Lieutenant General with a disability and has worked to make Ontario more accessible to everyone.

“Quinte has become Ontario’s largest sailing school for the disabled.  Regardless of what level of physical disability, even those with serve conditions can experience the wind in their sails. Their disabilities are left on the shore,” said Onley in his speech.

Cathy Joysmith who suffers from cerebral palsy has been sailing with the school for nine years.

“I like the freedom of being on the water, it gives me happiness.”