Changing Attitudes Changes Lives
The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club prides itself on inclusion of all in the sport of sailing and on Friday 10 February the club along with ANZ Bank hosted a charity lunch for the Attitude Foundation raising awareness for social integration of those living with disabilities . More than 80 guests attended the lunch where chairman and founder of the Attitude Foundation and former Australian Disability Commissioner , Graeme Innes opened the talks by presenting the aim behind the Foundation and outlining the social change which needs to occur to promote better lives for those living with disabilities . “ The Foundation aims to promote change through their own stories , stories of those doing work , doing sport and doing life . “ These stories will help create a better understanding of what it ’ s like living with a disability that will change people attitudes and remove the barriers to promote inclusion in both society and the workforce .“ Graeme Innes said . Five time Paralympic medallist in both wheelchair basketball and sailing , Liesl Tesch spoke of the importance of the role sport plays in the promotion of change . After suffering from an accident when she was 19 Liesl told of how her discovery of wheelchair basketball opened her eyes to what she could achieve living with a disability . This passion for wheelchair basketball led to Liesl winning silver at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics , Silver in 2004 Athens Paralympics and Bronze in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics . From there her passion and competitive spirit propelled her into the sport of sailing . Meeting Daniel Fitzgibbon at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club the pair teamed up and with the help of club members developed the award winning Integrated disAbled Sailing Program ( IdS ) which strives to encourage and assist sailors from all walks of life to participate into the club ’ s regular sailing program . Daniel and Liesl won gold medals at the 2012 London Paralympics and the 2016 Rio Paralympics in sailing along several world and national championships in between . Amongst all these sporting achievements and a career as a high school teacher Liesl still found the time to promote the message of inclusion through sport in countries like Kenya , South Africa and Nepal which led to the foundation of the organisation Sport- Matters which goes by the motto “ For Everyone . For Life .” Liesl expressed her gratitude for all the support she and Daniel Fitzgibbon have received without which they couldn ’ t have achieved their goals . “ Sport is a great medium for social inclusion , I had knowledge that we could create new things which has driven me to do what I ’ ve done but it couldn ’ t have happened without the support from others , I do thank the RPAYC for all the support and effort from all the volunteers and members , it ’ s been an incredible contribution to our two gold medals .” Liesl said . As ambassadors of the IdS program , Paralympic gold medallists , Leisl Tesch and Daniel Fitzgibbon have expanded the program to branch out to other organisations and community groups including Sailability Crystal Bay and Australia ’ s Soldier On organisation which assists in integrating the country ’ s veterans into civilian life . As evident through the work of the Attitude Foundation and the RPAYC it is important that identities like Graeme Innes , Liesl Tesch and Daniel Fitzgibbon continue telling their stories to create effective change . For the bigger picture the Attitude Foundation seeks to spread the message and encourage others to tell their story . In doing so the Foundation is raising money to produce a TV series to air on the ABC to show the stories told by those living disabilities . To donate visit www . attitude . org . au For more information about the RPAYC IdS program visit www . rpayc . com . au
Soldier On Goes from Strength to Strength
On Friday 3 February the Club hosted another Soldier On Sailing Day out on Pittwater , the weather wasn ’ t the best but that didn ’ t dampen the spirits off all who were involved ! This particular session involved patients from the St John of God Hospital ’ s rehabilitation program which has a good partnership with veterans , Defence Force personnel and also members of the Australian Federal Police . For some it was their first time sailing and the opportunity which was given to them by the Club , Soldier On and very supportive volunteers provided the best experience possible , coupled with some friendly sledging from Tom Spithill it made a very relaxed vibe for everyone . Aside from sailing on the Elliott 7s , Club Member Colin Cook put up his hand to help out taking out a handful of participants on his yacht for a cruise around Pittwater . David Savage a Solider On Ambassador was injured five years ago by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan which caused injuries to his brain and paralysis in one leg . He is currently receiving treatment with St John of God Hospital and was invited to participate in the sailing day claiming it was “ the best day I ’ ve had in five years !” For Tom Spithill , who puts in much time and effort outside of work hours to provide the framework to make these sailing days such a success gets a real buzz from positive comments from David Savage . “ Sailing has given me so much and working with Soldier On has just opened up so many opportunities for myself and other
volunteers from the Club to give back and comments like David ’ s make the experience amazing for all involved .” Said Tom Spithill .