September 2013 Community News

A Reflection on the Mobility Cup

~ by: Bobby Russell, MScPT Student, Class of 2014

The High Liner Mobility Cup 2013, a regatta for sailors with disabilities, took place from August 27-30 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

In August I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Mobility Cup. The Mobility Cup is an annual national sailing competition for people with disabilities and some of the most inspirational people you will ever come across. The event brings together people with various disabilities from sailing clubs all across Canada. I was absolutely amazed at what I witnessed. I saw several quadriplegic competitors who were only able to move their heads who were nonetheless able to control the sails with the use of “sip and puff”, basically 2 straws connected to a device which controlled the movement of the sails. There were individuals with multiple limbs amputated who were supremely positive, and surprisingly (at least to novice/inexperienced me) at how mobile and independent they were. There were also people who had suffered from strokes, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy. They were all gathered in the spirit of camaraderie and competition. It was a competition and results were recorded, but in my eyes they are all winners. I was honored to be a part of it. It really makes you reflect on what you have, what you are able to do, and what you maybe take for granted. This group of people faces so many challenges every single day, just to perform their activities of daily living and they do it with determination…and a smile on their face I was truly inspired. Next year Halifax hosts the World Championships and I am looking forward to the opportunity to be a part of it.