British sailor who controls boat with tongue readies for 2012 Paralympics

From the BBC:

A disabled sailor who controls his boat with his tongue has started a bid to compete in the 2012 Paralympic Games.

Keith Harris, from Poole, Dorset, (pictured) was paralysed after contracting a severe flu virus when he was six months old.

It destroyed his nervous system leaving him unable to move his limbs, but he has since learnt to control things with his tongue, including his boat Orville.

Now the 33-year-old, from New Forest Sailability, is aiming to book a place in the British 2012 sailing team.

Mr Harris said: "Most people say to me 'how the hell do you do that?' but I say where there's a will there's a way.

"When I first started it was so cool to get out on the boat and do something which anybody else can do."

He first got involved with sailing aged 13 at school and learnt the principals of the pastime by controlling model boats before he started sailing the real thing.

Mr Harris now competes in events with New Forest and District Sailability.

In his current racing series he says he is probably the most severely disabled sailor but added "it still doesn't stop me winning though".

"Ultimately I'd liked to get to the Paralympics, either in 2012 or 2016, I believe anything is possible," Mr Harris added.

Eric Blyth, chairman of New Forest and District Sailability, said: "Keith is an inspiration. He has gone from strength to strength.

"He is so determined I am quite confident he can do it [compete in the Paralympics].

"He may not win but he'll be there."