It’s been 15 years since my accident, which brought me a C5 quadriplegia; more than 20 since I sailed for the last time. Last 15 years with a dream: to change the attitude of the society towards disabled and to shift disabled persons’ focus from strictly looking for amenities, such as pensions or a few ramps at the side-walks, to include our right to the possibility to get and offer joy.

 I learned about Sailability accidentally; someone put my email address as cc at an email addressing a third person. My reaction was instinctive: I didn’t dare even to think of sailing again with such a severe disability. I got involved to bringing the Access Dinghies to Greece. It took a lot of effort, a lot of time (and this is always in short supply) and a lot of inspiration. But these people down there in Australia really meant it. They had the know-how, they found the sponsors, got the volunteers, used my helping most efficiently and…

 Today is the Sunday June 22, 2003. A brilliant day, a historical day: today I, Panayotis Tsinganos, a C5 Greek quad, did sail a red 2.3 all alone in the open sea. It’s 10 pm and the exciteness has not fainted yet; not a bit. The little boat tilting on the side, with a wind of 3 Beaufort and me controlling everything with a joystick. Miraculous!

 Next weekend I’ll go sailing again. I’ll invite as many as I can to share the experience. It was too good to do other way. Thank you Jackie, Chris, Neil, Barbara, thanks everyone who has helped this to come true. In the next month Sailability Hellas will be formed; nothing can stand on our way now. For life has still got a bright side.