Anything is possible if you set your mind to it.
Inspirational Paralympian sailor Michael McLean is living testimony to that.
After being struck down and paralysed in a freak work accident in 1981, Mr McLean recovered from a life threatening back injury and has courageously taken on the world of sailing.
He captured the hearts of the Australia in 2000 when he featured in the Sydney Paralympics and he has a refreshing mantra for others.
“I guess my message, being both a paraplegic and Paralympic sailor, is that anything is possible when you set your mind to it,” says Michael.
“I have a simple message that is about setting your mind to something and grabbing opportunities.”
The 58-year-old has had the opportunity to experience the waters of the world as a competitive sailor. From Scandinavia to Finland and all through Europe, McLean still holds Melbourne’s waters in the highest regard.
Inspiring sailor: Michael McLean sailing the Pearling Lugger.
Since rising to the challenge as a world-class disabled sailor, McLean has never looked back.
“I had been involved in the sport on the administrative side of things. My parents had a beach house down at Flinders so I got involved with the local yacht club and I was in administration rather than actual sailing,” he says.
“An opportunity to sail arose and I grabbed it and it was a good thing to have a crack at. And I love it. I continue sailing and will for many years.”
He was ecstatic to be involved in luring the biggest fleet of tall ships to dock in Williamstown in 100 years in September.
Eight tall ships – including five international tall ships – were in Williamstown from September 6 to 14.
As a keen sailor, Mr McLean especially enjoyed the visit of British tall ship, the Lord Nelson.
The Lord Nelson is a tall ship which gives people of all physical abilities an opportunity to sail together as equals and has already taken on more than 10,000 sailors with a physical disability, of which half were wheelchair users.
“To have the Lord Nelson in Melbourne has been a tremendous opportunity. It was the first time I had seen her and any chance to go on board a ship or sail is special for me,” says Michael.
“It is just terrific to have ships like the Lord Nelson, for her to be able to take on disabled passengers and crew on board. It was one of the highlights for me to see the Lord Nelson.”
“But also having that number of ships in one spot, particularly in Williamstown with such a big Maritime Heritage, it is going to be fantastic.”
All aboard: The Lord Nelson allows people of all ages and abilities to sail.
This inspirational sailor passionately shares his story, and it was no exception when Williamstown wound back the clock more than 100 years with a big fleet of tall ships that will set the city’s piers alive to celebrate the age of sail.
“Sometimes to me my story doesn’t feel all that remarkable, but if people get inspiration and it helps them, it is humbling,” says Michael.
“Sometimes I feel as though I am just ordinary and I just do what others could be doing but it is a bit different because I’m in a chair and so on. If I can make a difference to someone’s life I think that is terrific and something I am happy to do.”
From all of the adrenaline and the thrill of sailing, McLean still enjoys the freedom of being on the water and is looking forward to sharing his passion with Australia in September.
“If I can make a difference to someone are life I think that is terrific and a good thing to do. I have just enjoyed the entire festival.”
