There's No Stopping Paul -Video

Angela Pezzotti for SooNews.ca
Friday, August 15, 2008, 1:03PM

Nothing can stop Mcpl Paul Franklin from trying new things, not even a suicide bomber. Trying something new was exactly what he did during his visit to the Soo this week. Franklin sailed for the first time; he made use of the specially designed boats for the disabled available at RYTAC. “Not enough wind” he said after his first solo sailing experience.

Franklin was injured in Afghanistan when a suicide bomber hit the vehicle he was driving and killed Canadian Diplomat Glyn Berry and wounded two other soldiers.

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Franklin lost his left leg in the attack and his right leg was destroyed. His right leg was later amputated. While recovering in Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton he established the Franklin Foundation to support efforts in amputee care and enhance care within their own communities.

Two months after the January 15th 2006 attack on March 24th Franklin took his first steps on his artificial legs and hasn’t stop since. “The injury allowed me to grasp deep down to something I didn’t know existed and use that to its full advantage.” He now travels the country to raise funds and awareness of the Franklin Foundation and its goals of promoting sports for the disabled, peer support, education and high tech research. “It’s not about disability it’s about your ability.” says Franklin.

As President of the foundation he feels he must serve as an example to others. “I have to try snowboarding. I have to try sailing. I have to try all these things different things. It will help the other guys but it also helps me get to that next level. I looked down deep inside myself and I had a choice of either failing, doing nothing, or trying it. I don’t have to succeed I just want to try it and I know that I have done it, that little first step.” That’s the advice he gives to others “Just try it.”

This Franklin’s third visit to the Soo, he was here this week as guest speaker at a dinner hosted by the Military Family Support Group and to participate in a Red Friday Golf Tournament. “Next time I would like to fly in a bush plane.” he says.

For more information about Master Corporal Paul Franklin and the Franklin Foundation Click here.

For more information about RYTAC and the availability of the specially designed boats call: 949-1563

Watch the video to see Paul's first sailing experience.

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