The Yachtsman 2017-2018 RPAYC Yachtsman 2016-2017 | Page 83

AT T I T U D E F O U N D AT I O N
T
he Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club prides
itself on inclusion of all in the sport of
sailing and on Friday 10 February, the
Club, along with ANZ Bank, hosted a
charity lunch for the Attitude Foundation,
raising awareness for social integration of those living
with disabilities.
More than 80 guests attended the lunch where
chairman and founder of the Attitude Foundation and
former Australian Disability Commissioner, Graeme
Innes, opened the talks by presenting the aim behind
the Foundation and outlining the social change which
needs to occur to promote better lives for those living
with disabilities.
“The Foundation aims to promote change through
their own stories. Stories of those doing work, doing
sport and doing life.”
“These stories will help create a better understanding
of what it’s like living with a disability that will change
people attitudes and remove the barriers to promote
inclusion in both society and the workforce.” Graeme
Innes said.
Five time Paralympic medallist in both wheelchair
basketball and sailing, Liesl Tesch spoke of the importance
of the role sport plays in the promotion of change.
After suffering from an accident when she was 19,
Liesl told of how her discovery of wheelchair basketball
opened her eyes to what she could achieve living with
a disability.
Liesl expressed her gratitude for all the support she
and Daniel Fitzgibbon have received without which they
couldn’t have achieved their goals.
“Sport is a great medium for social inclusion.
I had knowledge that we could create new things which
has driven me to do what I’ve done but it couldn’t
have happened without the support from others. I do
thank the RPAYC for all the support and effort from
all the volunteers and members. It’s been an incredible
contribution to our two gold medals.” Liesl said.
STORIES OF THOSE DOING WORK, DOING SPORT AND DOING LIFE
As ambassadors of the IdS program, Paralympic
gold medallists, Liesl Tesch and Daniel Fitzgibbon
have expanded the program to branch out to other
organisations and community groups including Sailability
Crystal Bay and Australia’s Soldier On organisation
which assists in integrating the country’s veterans into
civilian life.
As evidenced through the work of the Attitude
Foundation and the RPAYC it is important that identities
like Graeme Innes, Liesl Tesch and Daniel Fitzgibbon
continue telling their stories to create effective change.
For the bigger picture the Attitude Foundation seeks
to spread the message and encourage others to tell their
story. In doing so, the foundation is raising money to
produce a TV series to air on the ABC to show the stories
told by those living disabilities.
To donate visit www.attitude.org.au
This passion for wheelchair basketball led to Liesl
winning silver at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics, Silver in
2004 Athens Paralympics and Bronze in the 2008 Beijing
Paral