If we’re lucky, we discover something we are so passionate about that it sustains us through all of life’s challenges. For 47-year-old Karen Mitchell, an incomplete C7 quadriplegic, that passion is sailing. Powered by the wind, Karen has sailed to dozens of victories both on and off the water. When Karen was 19 years old, she sustained a spinal cord injury from a diving accident. During her rehab in Chicago, she discovered a love of water that led her to swim competitively in regional, national, and international Wheelchair Olympics. But it was 14 years after her injury, when she left her wheelchair on a dock and felt the thrill of sailing, that Karen discovered her true passion.In 1994, Karen participated in a demo sail at Shake-A-Leg, Miami. Karen, who had never stepped foot in a sailboat before, felt a sense of freedom she hadn’t experienced in years and immediately fell in love with the sport. “We were sailing around markers, heeling the boat a little,” Karen recalls. “Everything about it, from the sound of the boat moving through the water to feeling the boat moving simply by the wind, was awesome. I was hooked right away.” Karen completed 10 weeks of sailing classes that prepared her to skipper boats. Later, when Shake-A-Leg founder Harry Horgan invited her to participate in a regatta, she discovered a whole new passion. “That first regatta was awesome,” says Karen. “Everything was brand new and a big learning experience.”Because Karen was busy earning a degree in Occupational Therapy from Florida International University, she passed on the opportunity to continue racing. After graduating Summa *** Laude, she began racing locally and then, in 1998, with a friend’s encouragement, she traveled to Rhode Island where she placed first in Newport’s Shake-A-Leg event. “I love competition, which incorporates physical, mental, and emotional challenges, including being on the start line on time and in the right place, learning how to make the boat go fast, driving in the groove, and other racing strategies,” says Karen.In 1999, Karen faced a new challenge. She was diagnosed with stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder. The cancer had already spread locally into her lymphatic system, and she underwent a major surgery that included removal of the bladder and a hysterectomy and began an aggressive round of chemotherapy. Due to post surgical complications, Karen was taken off food and drink and was fed intravenously for six weeks. Even though she could barely get out of bed, three months after surgery Karen flew to Chicago to sail in the North American Challenge Cup and left her problems on the dock. She placed second in the regatta with her partner. “When you’re doing something you’re passionate about, you can lay aside your pain and troubles and move on,” says Karen who decided to use the slogan “Sailing for Life.”Karen opted to try an alternative treatment to the chemo that left her so weak and without hair and was later declared in remission. However, in 2001 Karen was informed that the cancer had returned. Since it was recurrent squamous cell carcinoma, she was told nothing could be done. The following weekend, Karen sailed in the Coral Cup and placed first in her fleet. One week later, after asking her pastor to pray for her and anoint her with oil, the cancer could not be found. Now, nine years later, she is still free of cancer.“Sailing gives me a reason to keep fighting the fight to live,” says Karen, who has won numerous races, including winning the Independence Cup/North American Challenge Cup on Lake Michigan three years in a row, and winning the Independence Cup—one of the premier disability sailing events—five times. While Karen loves the competition, it’s sailing itself that sustains her. “No matter what, I will gravitate towards water and continue sailing,” Karen says. “In my darkest times, I get on a boat and it does wonders for me.” For more information:Sailing for Life http://www.sailingforlife.orgUS Sailing, the National Governing Body for the sport of sailing and sailboat racing in the United States.www.ussailing.org
Sign In | Join Disaboom Today!
Popular Blog Posts
