7 years ago, I had an accident that left me paralysed from below the arms, age 22. I've always been an open and curious adventurer who was raised exploring the world and have continued to be so, in a new form now. I got back to work and study, completed a Masters degree and continue to find magic and mischief in my daily life- out adventuring- between camping on the floor of my hand-controlled vw van and handcycling overland across countries. I'm grateful to have great friends and family who occasionally dip in to join in the fun and carry or shove me places and together and alone ive ended up just where i want to be- where wheelchairs cant reasonably be expected, surrounded by nature and in interesting contexts.
Ever since that first injury, I've had a dream to one day make it back to my home on the other side of the world- Sri Lanka and I want to do it by boat. The fact that im a bit of an eco-zealot is one factor, but while i have very limited sailing experience, i also just know that this life and adventure is for me. I have no intentions of doing this alone. While there are some incredible Disabled sailors out there, i dont have the time to even really attempt to get the skills close to what i would need to actually handle an ocean yacht in a meaningful way (sure i could get involved, but with others firmly holding the reigns). I intend to be accompanied by experienced sailors and willing friends.
What I need now is advice on what kind of sailboat might be appropriate to navigate from Europe to Asia and then continue round the globe (New zealand is next on the agenda after Sri Lanka), be easily handleable by 2 sailors and adaptable to have a wheelchair user on board. I dont want luxury and dont need complete access- finding a way to winch myself on and off deck in a simple way (rather than a fancy elevator) and drag myself round deck on my bum is all part of the vision- but ideally below deck should be able to be adapted to be spacious enough navigate as much as possible in a manual wheelchair with a head and cabin that i can get into.
This was all a dream in the clouds with no money to go behind it until this year, when i suddenly have the resources to make it possible.
Please share your wisdom and knowledge and what sort of boats i should be looking for to come up secondhand! I'm all ears!
(Also very open to any experienced sailors who lack their own boat but want to join a flexible round the world adventure with someone who is pretty cool, even if i do say so myself.)