Story by: Robert Stopper, Lyons
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| Robinson and Hamlin families outside Lock 27 |
On Saturday June
29, 2013, a spectacle of inspiration and admiration took place on the Erie
Canal in Lyons, NY! Congenital quad
amputee John Robinson, founder of “Our Ability” and quadriplegic Doug Hamlin
and their families paddled an outrigger canoe on the Erie Canal.
After launching at Abbey Park, they entered
Lock E 27. The gates closed. There was momentary silence as the water depth
began to drop 12 feet. Then laughter and chatter filled the cavern as everyone
realized, “”Hey this is safe. We can do this”.
The gates opened. The outriggers exited the
lock and continued their paddle heading east towards Clyde. Because of
impending thunderstorms, after paddling several miles, it was decided to turn
around and return to safety.
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| Pam Hamlin, wheeling her husband, Doug to the water to board his kayak |
Although disabled, John and Doug had just
accomplished what many without disabilities have never done- they “Locked
Through” and paddled on the Erie Canal!
The canal
and lock experience was part of the Our
Ability 350 mile trek across the state to raise awareness of the great
ability inside all people, including those with disabilities, and to raise
funds for Educational and Adaptive Sports Scholarships for people with
disabilities.
John, a congenital quadriplegic has been
married to his wife Andrea for almost 20 years. Doug, confined to a wheel chair for 30 years,
has been married to his wife Pam for almost 30 years. Positive thinking and a
tremendous faith in each other have stood the test of time- John, Doug, and their families do not see
problems, obstacles, or negatives in life- they see only opportunities!
Accompanying
John and Doug on their Erie Canal experience were John’s wife, Andrea and
children Owen and Ariel; Doug and his wife Pam; Jan Whitaker and Kevin Berl.
The
outrigger canoes, special seating arrangements, and special adaptive paddles
were provided by Jan Whitaker, founder of Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana, Inc., a
Rochester Chapter of Disabled Sports, USA. Assisting Jan with the Our Ability paddle on the Erie Canal was Kevin Berl, President of
the New York Marathon Canoe Racing Association.
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