Travel insurance can help protect you while you access the world. But only you can decide what exactly you do. In this section, travelers share their inspiring stories of adventure and triumph.

Got a story to share? Email travelability@inglememberbenefits.com and tell us about it.

Yacht racing is mentally challenging and physically taxing, both very rewarding and a new venue for a former concert pianist and pilot.  But that is not my topic here. Let me introduce you to my world through this entrance.

Quite a few years ago I had a neighbour who owned a racing yacht. When his curiosity about my car brought him over to introduce himself, I discovered his obsession with sailing was as fierce as mine with cars. The opportunity to participate in a club race presented itself, I found a new love and a few years later I was the navigator on an eight-man crew – and the only woman!

My experience as a pilot with a multi-engine license (incidentally, aerobatic flying experience too) stood me in good stead to learn racing navigation.

In the lingerie department of a downtown store I met the wife of the fiercest competitor in the fleet. By this time I was in a power wheelchair, not standard racing equipment. I knew of Riki since I had seen her on television and our conversation revealed that I had known her husband years ago. Well she thought it would be fun if my husband and I came over for dinner.

It was fun. Chuck and I reminisced and shared old war stories of the races. During that evening he announced that it was entirely unfair that so much had been removed from my life, and that I should consider soaring in a glider! Of all things!

With his encouragement I joined the glider gang at York Soaring Club for a flight. With their assistance I got into the front seat and took off for one of the most delightful experiences of my life.  With my pilot David we climbed to 7,500 feet. This was very good. No, it was amazing. What freedom! Entirely enthralling! But of course I wanted to do it for myself. Without fine motor control of my feet that was impossible.

Chuck understood and the next summer he and I went to New York state to take advantage of an opportunity to fly a glider with hand controls, courtesy of the group "Freedoms Wings". It was heavenly.

Now you too can fly a glider here in Canada at Arthur, Ontario, at the York Soaring Club. Look up www.freedomswings.ca on the web and see how far we've come. We have our own glider with hand controls and a group of qualified people to help you into the aircraft and they?ll teach you too.

Join us. 

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