Dear Friends,
Since the summer of 2009, Sail To Prevail
has embarked on yet another aspect of
our ongoing mission of creating opportunities
for disabled people to overcome adversity.
After two years of observation and evaluation,
our ongoing research and pilot programs,
especially with the Easterner program,
has confirmed and further underscored
the importance of the role that families
can have on the advancement and successes
of the disabled participant.
Disabled
Child Benefit
For sure, we do not feel that our programs
or methodologies are “breakthrough science,”
but rather, confirming without question
that families who participate in therapies
(in this case, sailing) alongside their
disabled family member, can expect a better
result than if the disabled individual
participates alone. Through our own observation
as well as testimonials, the overwhelming
feedback has been that disabled participants
who sail with family members often obtain
better results.
Able-Bodied
Parent/Sibling Benefit
Further, we have also recognized that sailing
together as a family has an equal benefit
on the able-bodied parent or siblings.
Parents were amazed and gratified that
their disabled loved one could perform
a task(s) previously thought not possible.
Consequently, the parent or sibling gains
a new-found outlook and, possibly, greater
respect for their disabled family member.
Disabled
Parent Benefit
Conversely, a disabled parent who participates
in sailing with their able-bodied children
assists in developing the normal parent-child
relationship. We whole-heartedly recommend
that disabled parents incorporate their
able-bodied children in their sailing activity,
thus encouraging the natural human tendency
for a child to admire and respect his/her
(disabled) parent for who they are, as
opposed to their disability. As a disabled
parent myself, I have experienced this
benefit first-hand.
In brief, we have found
that our “family philosophy” is simple
and effective – when families participate
together in the sport of sailing, both
the able-bodied family member(s) and their
disabled loved one(s) experience positive
results. The benefit goes both ways!
Sincerely yours,
Paul Callahan
CEO
