Inspirational Round Britain Voyage

On Monday 9th June British sailor Hilary Lister is setting off on a solo circumnavigation of Britain.

Nothing to unusual in that except that Lister is a quadriplegic and is only able to move her head.

Lister has gradually been losing the use of almost all her body since the age of 11 due to a neurological disorder known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy which ironically also leaves her in great pain.

Housebound, reduced to complete inactivity and totally dependent on others for even the most basic activities Lester was beginning to question whether life was worth continuing.

Fortunately in September 2003 Lister was introduced to sailing by a neighbour and was immediately hooked. Initially a passenger Lister’s desire for more independence turned into a dream of sailing across the English Channel even though she had no sailing skills or experience at this point.

A chance meeting with Emma Richards at the London Boat Show saw support enlisted from her sponsor Matthew Pindar. Lister was loaned a 26′ Soling keel boat which was adapted so Lister could sail it.

After learning to sail Lister successfully crossed the Channel on 23rd August 2005.

Last year in a new boat, an Artemis 20, Lister completed the much longer voyage around the Isle of Wight a distance of 50 nautical miles.

Lister controls her boat and navigates via a computer by gently sipping or puffing on three pneumatic straws.

We wish her luck and fair winds on her challenge next week.

Checkout her website for more details and inspiration.