‘Nothing stops David on sailing adventure’
David Morse, from Hemel Hempstead, is sailing around Great Britain.
A young man who defied the odds to learn how to walk has now taken on the challenge of sailing around Great Britain.
David Morse, left, was born with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, a rare condition, which also afflicts Paralympic equestrian gold medallist Lee Pearson.
But the 20-year-old has found ways to work around his disability and has been sailing since he was nine years old –an interest that was sparked when he went to see big brother Alex kayaking and spotted a sailing boat.
Proud mum Joanna said: “He has never looked back.
“He says sailing on the water gives him a sense of freedom and he feels like everyone else.”
David’s condition mainly affects his legs, which means he cannot bend his knees, but around 14 operations during his lifetime have made it possible for him to walk short distances.
“If he can’t do something in a way that we would do it he will find a different way,” said Joanna. “Nothing stops him,” .
David, who lives with his mum and dad Ashley in Apsley, set off on his adventure from Brixham in Devon on Saturday, July 8.
He is joined by two able-bodied crew mates, who are doing the feat with the South-West Marine Training School.
They stopped off at St Katherine’s Dock on the Thames on Friday and will finish their clockwise journey at Southampton on Sunday.
So far David, who is completing sailing exams during the adventure, has taken in some breathtaking scenery and seen a whole array of wildlife including whales, seals and dolphins.
He said: “One of the best moments so far was when we anchored up in the Scillies.
“It was the skipper’s birthday so we took the small dinghy to a small secluded beach and we all had a barbecue.
“There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the waters were crystal clear.”
Follow David’s blog at www.davidroundbritain.tumblr.com
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Weather for Tring
Thursday 20 June 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 13 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
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Light rain
Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
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