Lindsay’s journey with Sailability

Lindsay’s love of the outdoors has always been a defining part of her life. 

Before her health changed, she worked as an outdoor activity instructor, spending her time helping others experience adventure firsthand. Sailing, in particular, had been with her since childhood, from early days with Girl Guiding through to time on Carsington Water and the River Trent. It wasn’t just a hobby; it was something that stayed with her throughout her life. 

That connection was interrupted when Lindsay developed functional neurological disorder, a condition that affects how messages are sent between the brain and body. As her symptoms progressed, she became a full-time wheelchair user, and many of the activities she once enjoyed fell away, including sailing. 

For a while, it felt like that chapter had closed. 

It wasn’t until the COVID period, after a chance meeting while out walking, that sailing came back into view. When restrictions eased, Lindsay decided to explore the idea again and eventually found her way to a Sailability session. What she discovered there was more than just an opportunity to get back on the water, it was a welcoming and supportive environment that made trying again feel possible. 

Returning to sailing marked a turning point. 

Being back on the water restored something that had been missing: a sense of independence. Out there, the focus shifts away from limitations and onto movement, skill and the environment. The experience brings a feeling of normality and freedom, a chance to simply be, guided by the wind rather than defined by circumstance. 

It was also the first activity Lindsay returned to after becoming a wheelchair user that truly felt adventurous again. That mattered. 

Step by step, sailing helped rebuild her confidence. It became proof that ability had not disappeared — it just changed. Through learning, adapting and spending time on the water, she began to recognise what was still possible, rather than what had been lost. 

The impact reached beyond sailing itself. 

Becoming part of the Sailability community introduced Lindsay to new people and new opportunities. Those connections helped open doors to other activities, including sit skiing, something she may never have discovered, or felt confident enough to try, without first returning to sailing. 

What started as a single step back into a familiar activity grew into something much bigger: a pathway back into adventure. 

Today, sailing represents far more than time spent on the water. It is a source of independence, confidence and possibility, a reminder that new experiences can begin at any stage, even after life-changing circumstances. 

Lindsay’s journey highlights the value of simply giving things a go. Trying something new, or revisiting something old, can lead in unexpected directions, building confidence and opening opportunities along the way. 

And for her, sailing captures that perfectly: an experience that is fun, exciting and full of adventure, with the power to change far more than just a day on the water.