[Paddlewise] Paddlers with Limitations- Was: Helping a new paddler?

As a paddler with a servere disability I fully understand your hesitancy to 
paddle again.  I find as time "paddles on" my ability to handle my boat off 
the water has become increasingly limited.  Of course; I find this 
depressing.  But I have also found that my fellow Paddlers, here in 
landlocked Pittsburgh, have become increasingly helpful by allowing me to tag 
along and portaging my boat etc.  It took me a while to understand that I was 
not a burdon on their trips but an asset because in many other ways I 
contributed to the trips success.  With a background in safety admin. I was 
always the one with the saw, the extra food, and the good first aid kit.

After a while I became increasingly confident of my abilities and did my own 
sojourn, a self-contained trip of 180 miles on the Allegheny River.  Even 
then I required assistance with a couple of small obstacles- Ever try hitch 
hiking around a Hydro power dam or two.  But in the end I was successful in 
my trip even though I did not set any speed records or anything similar.  All 
I can say is that even though you may have trouble walking or even 
remembering tide tables etc. there places you can paddle and have fun on the 
water.   Just be willing to share your experiences with others.  

For the record there is a great outfitter in St. Paul that specializing in 
arranging organized wilderness trips that includes people with disabilities 
and they include sea kayaking on their menu.  Just remember the hole in the 
boat always faces up.  I found that to be my key to success.
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