Media Man

Vinny Lauwers

On Saturday 12th August 2000, Vinny Lauwers returned to Melbourne after seven months and two weeks at sea. It had taken seven years of preparation for Vinny to realise his incredible dream…to be the first disabled person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world.

Vinny lost his ability to walk after his spinal cord was severed in a motorcycle accident when he was 22. Not expected to survive the accident, Vinny made a remarkable recovery. However, the accident had not just taken away his ability to walk but also his love for life. Slowly, Vinny deteriorated and soon he believed he was nothing and felt his life had no meaning.

One thing however still burned deep within Vinny, his love of the sea and his dream to one-day sail around the world. This dream was born as a 14-year-old boy when he sailed with a crew from Melbourne to Sydney.

It took Vinny seven years to prepare. After repeated operations, immense physical and mental pain, and another broken back, Vinny’s dream began to take shape. In October 1999 an emotional farewell from fiancée Jacquie Gill and family together with hundreds of supporters including Victorian Premier Steve Bracks, Vinny set sail from Port Phillip Bay on his custom-made yacht, Vision Quest, to turn his dream into reality. Vision Quest itself had been specially built by Vinny to reduce the need for movement around the deck.

Vinny’s dream was not just for himself, he also undertook this voyage to help enhance the quality of life for disabled and disadvantaged kids. Through his world voyage Vinny raised funds for Parasail, Caring For Kids, a non-profit organisation for disabled and disadvantaged children that he established in 1996.

Vinny is a seasoned sailer having competed in two Sydney to Hobart yacht races as well as the 5,500 nautical mile Melbourne to Osaka Ocean Race. His sailing experience is over 100,000km.

In May 2001, Vinny was recognised as International Disabled Sports Person of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco – other recipients on the night were International Sportsman, Tiger Woods and International Sportswoman, Cathy Freeman.

Vinny continues to struggle with multiple injuries beyond his damaged spine, including chronic pain, sleep apnoea and brain damage.

Vinny's story has already touched the hearts of many Australians and others around the world – his passion for life defied the odds of self-destruction from childhood psychological abuse to a horrific motorbike accident the doctors predicted he would not survive. Let Vinny share his remarkable story with you.

“ONCE THE DREAM IS BIG ENOUGH, THE FACTS DON’T COUNT.”

Vinny Lauwers's

AWARDS

· Ratified by World Sailing Speed Record Council, England- Worlds First Disabled person to circumnavigate the globe solo, non-stop & unassisted during the year 1999-2000

· World Athlete of the Year with a Disability 2000- Laureus World Sports Awards, Monte Carlo

· Outstanding Sporting Achievement Award- Instituted by Queen Elizabeth second & Prime Minister of Office 2000

· Australian Centenary Medal- Instituted by Queen Elizabeth second & Prime Minister of Office - 2003

· Australian Disabled Yachtsman of the Year 2001

· Victorian Yachtsman of the Year 2001

· Yachtsman of the Year Royal Yacht Club of Victoria 1998 - 1999

· Yachtsman of the Year Royal Yacht Club of Victoria 1999 – 2000

· Honorary Life membership Royal Yacht Club of Victoria

· Shine On Rotary Award for outstanding achievements in community services 1999

· Outstanding Achievement Award-Committee of Melbourne 2000

· Lap of honour with sporting greats- AFL Grand final 2001

· Citizen of the Year Award-City of Maribyrnong 2001