Sails Set On New Life

by NICOLA WILLIAMS

"It's given me another life."

Jan Apel is talking about a new addition to the physiotherapy room at the Otara Spinal Unit.

The Pakuranga resident tried a sailing simulator there as part of her routine sessions as an out-patient.

It opened the door to being an international competitor on the water.

"It's brought me into the world of disabled sport, it's given me challenges, made me stronger and healthier.

"I've come across some inspirational people and it's given me a chance to help and encourage others," she says.

A cyst found on her spinal cord in 2000 grew to press on nerves, affecting movement of her feet and legs.

"I was teaching and lost my job because moving was far too difficult."

She says the thrill of sailing was something positive to come out of a negative situation.

"You do go through stages of cutting out of society completely because accepting a disability is a slow process.

"Sailing has been a very enriching and positive experience."

Mrs Aspel says the possibilities in disabled sport are endless.

"You just have to open yourself up to them."

The sailing simulator turned out to be a fun and beneficial variation to the routine of her workouts.

"It hurt like hell the first few times because I was using different muscles."


Nine months later she took the plunge to experience the real thing.

She was in the team that placed ninth in the World Championships last July and helped gain New Zealand a spot in the 2012 London Paralympics.

"We achieved this milestone and even managed to beat the world champs in several races."

Mrs Apel suffers chronic pain but says the adrenalin rush from sailing overshadows it. She's on the water three times a week as well as fitting in gym work and swimming.

"A lot of disabled people are so focused on what they want to do sports-wise, they fight to the death.

"How much more damage can you do to yourself?

"When you're old you're even one better – you've got nothing to lose."

She says it feels great to achieve placings.

"We've won the Kiwi Cup which is the award for the best disabled sailors in the country."

Another hurdle to overcome is the huge cost involved in going overseas to compete and the team is crying out for sponsorship.

"Funding is as scarce as hen's teeth," Ms Apel says.


Go to www.sailabilityauckland.co.nz for more information or to support the team.


Aucklandstuff.co.nz

Fiona Goodall/Suburban Newspapers