Madi is nearly 15, lives with quadriplegic athetoid Cerebral Palsy, is fed via a tube, uses an eye gaze computer system to talk and relies on specialist seating for all her balance/seating needs. Madi has a wicked sense of humour, loves to watch You Tube, listen to her music (especially Ed Shearen) and attending music school (including performing with them at the London Palladium and is due to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in April 2019), but.. she would also love to join her Dad and siblings on the river sailing….

Madi is fed up with sitting and watching….

Dad visited the dinghy show earlier in the year to discover a boat that Madi can sail in. Like all things new Madi would start by learning the basic principles of sailing, just as her brother & sister did, the great thing about the RS Venture Connect is the ability to add in switch controls so as Madi progresses she has the ability to control the rudder, or the main sail, but until that time Madi can sit and enjoy all that there is to enjoy of sailing on the water…. No more noisy engine…. Just the sound of the sails (and the seagulls!!).

At the dingy show Bryan and Max met with Steve (RS Sailing) who introduced them to the:

RS VENTURE CONNECT – PARA BOAT – This is a dinghy with lifting keel (125kg) so is stable, can seat 2, but spacious enough for the whole family.

We decided we needed to see, and let Madison see and trial the boat, so after a long trip (stuck in traffic both ways) to the national sailing centre in Weymouth/Portland, a lovely chap called Tom lending Madi his boat, Steve from RS and the facilities that included pontoon hoists!, Madi got to sail around Portland Harbour.

Madi can communicate ‘yes’ and ‘no’ very well…. She tends to like the ‘no’ more than ‘yes’ especially when it comes to doing things with her Mum and in particular if it involves her Mum singing!! (It really isn’t a good sound….)

Madi was on the water with Dad and Steve from RS for about 45 minutes (that is a very long time for her to be doing something new), Mum was on the pontoon waiting and waiting, chatting with Tom and his PA and waiting…. wondering how Madi would be on her return.

Madi did you enjoy your sail – A mighty big fat ‘YES’.

Madi did you want to stay out – A mighty big fat ‘YES’

Was it worth the drive (Madi had been a bit cross during the journey) – A mighty big fat ‘YES’

Madi, if we could find the money would you like a boat like this of your own – A might big fat ‘YES’.

Madi loved it, absolutely loved it… and as her Mum I am always pessimistic with these things because physical and sensory things have often caused Madi distress in the past…. But I could see from her face that she truly deeply did love it.

Us as parents - ‘We have to get her this boat’…. Can you help us?

Boat details:

The boat is an RS Venture Connect, it is manufactured in the UK by RS Sailing

https://www.rssailing.com/project/rs-venture-connect-scs/