Paralympic athlete, Wojtek Czyz, and his fianc\u00e9e, Elena Brambilla, are about to embark on a round-the-world trip with a difference.<\/p>\n
They are planning to be married in May and will set off from Hamburg on a four-year honeymoon, sailing the seas helping those in need.<\/p>\n
Wojtek started sailing on his birthday in 2009 when he was invited by a friend in the South of France to join him for a day trip.<\/p>\n
He loved it so much that only a few months later he bought his own boat, a Bavaria 32. The Bavaria was sold in 2012 and the couple replaced it in 2013 with a Lagoon 410 named \u2018Imagine\u2019.<\/p>\n
Last year they approached the French manufacturers of the catamaran to ask if it would be possible to make a few modifications to their boat in preparation for their unique trip.<\/p>\n
After hearing their plans Lagoon kindly agreed to make the modifications for free and the couple\u2019s Lagoon 410 has been transformed into a working clinic, complete with 3D printer to produce prosthetic limbs.<\/p>\n
The project is one that is close to the couple\u2019s hearts. In 2001, then 21-year-old Wojtek Czyz was an aspiring professional football player and had just signed with second division team, SC Fortuna K\u00f6ln. In his last match for his old team, he was hit in the knee by the opposing team\u2019s goalie, an accident that shattered the knee and ultimately resulted in him having his leg amputated.<\/p>\n
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While undergoing rehabilitation, he met German Paralympian, Roberto Simonazzi, and orthopaedic technician, Herbert Ganter, who encouraged him to get back into sports.<\/p>\n
Obviously he is not the sort to sit around moping, and only 11 months after his amputation he entered the German Championships and broke the national record for F42 long jump and won the T42 100m event. Since then he has competed in three Paralympic games and won four gold one silver and two bronze medals.<\/p>\n
His personal motto is, \u201cdon\u2019t think of what you were, but of what you are and of what you aspire to be\u201d (\u201cdenk nicht an das was du warst, sondern an das, was du bist und zu sein dich sehnst\u201d).<\/p>\n
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Czyz wants to spread this message and take this positivity to places where being \u2018disabled\u2019 is still a stigma. He says in such places there is a lack of support, understanding and professionalism in dealing with disability. As a gold medal winner, he hopes to change that attitude and show that being disabled doesn\u2019t have to stop you pursuing your dreams.<\/p>\n
His soon-to-be wife, Elena Brambilla, as well as being a professional high jumper, has a degree in biotechnology from the University of Milan and is therefore the perfect partner to help with the second goal of their round the world honeymoon \u2013 the production of prosthetic limbs and the provision of medicine to those in need from their floating pharmacy.<\/p>\n
With the 3D printer on Imagine, the couple can produce a prosthetic limb in two days at a cost of only 200 euros. They will \u2018print\u2019 these limbs for the amputees they meet on their journey who, in third world countries, will often not have access to the money or medical facilities needed to produce anything more than the most basic prosthesis.<\/p>\n
So we wish this very special couple the best for their trip. May they have sun for the wedding and fair winds and following seas for their four-year honeymoon.<\/p>\n
For more information: www.sailing4handicaps.de<\/p>\n
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