Hi, my name is Mike Browne and I am a T12 paraplegic. Shortly after
my injury in 1993 I teamed up with my close friends Bob Grieg (also T12 para) and Martine Radville
to see if we could inspire other people with disabilities to achieve some of their sporting goals.
We formed a small charity 'Sporting Activities for the Disabled
charitable Trust' and we operate under the banner 'Impossible Dream'.
Over the years we have embarked on many projects but the main function or our work has been the
provision of specialised equipment for skiing and sailing.
Skiing
Skiing offers a level of freedom, independence and enjoyment to people with disabilities which is
just not possible in a wheelchair. When this is combined with the extra benefits of fresh air and
healthy exercise nothing really comes close.
Sailing
Sailing is the summer alternative to skiing, easy to participate, if you live close to the sea or
an inland sailing club it can be enjoyed in the evenings or at weekends with friends and family or
as a way of meeting new people. The charity owns a small fleet of single handed keelboats
(International 2.4mR class) which it lends out to Sailability centres in the south of England.
These days there are many different boats suitable for various disabilities and our web links
will provide you with further information.
A major project of the charity was to prove that it was possible to develop a boat capable of
being sailed around the world solo by a wheelchair user. The result was a 60ft Catamaran called
Impossible Dream. Having crossed the Atlantic twice the boat is currently demonstrating its
capabilities at the Shake-a-leg charity in Miami. Check out our gallery for more info.
The charity is also the organising body for South Coast Blind Week. This is a unique event every June when two dozen sailboats invite
visually impaired sailors to go cruising along the south coast of England and to enjoy a whole week of sailing, sun and parties.