Tea brand helps out para-canoeist

The cheque was handed over to Paull during a tea tasting session at Contessa Tea Shop in Rivonia.

“So far the company that I work for has offered to pay for my air ticket and I have raised an additional R10 000, however, this means that [even after the cheque] I still have roughly R25 000 to raise before the competition,” explained Paull.

He was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease called transverse myelitis and within two weeks of his diagnosis he was completely paralyzed from the hips down. Paull had dreams of becoming a rugby player and his illness, unfortunately, took that away from him.

“My dreams of a future in rugby were completely shattered,” he said.

“I decided that the only way that I was going to get through this was to pick myself up and take it one day at a time. I learned how to be positive and tried to have a good attitude towards life.”

Paull moved from Pretoria to Johannesburg where he was introduced to the world of canoeing.

“As para-canoeing is very new to this country, we don’t yet have the coaches with the necessary skills to train us, so it has been a learn-as-you-go process,” explained Paull.

He feels that over the last year he has made huge strides.

“My paddling is improving every day,” he added.

“We have adapted my seat with the necessary padding and attached a seatbelt of sorts which allows me to use my hips and gives me a more powerful stroke and betters my balance.”

He has competed at the Gauteng Championships, winning both of his races in the 200m and 500m races. Paull also competed in the South African Championships, again winning both his races.

“The next step for me will be to compete in the 200m race at the Para-canoeing World Cup in Germany from 17 to 24 May this year, and then my dream is to be able to compete at the Olympics,” added Paull.

Details: mike@ahoypr.co.za

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