Deaf sailor to sail unassisted around the world

My name is Paul Martin, I am profoundly deaf and I want to show Australia and the world that I am as able as anyone else and want to prove this by being the first deaf person to sail solo around the world.

 

I was recently working as a carpenter and after being laid off, I have been unable to find another job which I believe is a result of my deafness. Considering I was able to work in the building industry as a fully licensed carpenter, I feel that I have been indirectly discriminated against due to my hearing condition and want to stand up to society to tell the world that deaf people are just as able to do most jobs just like anyone else.

 

I don’t think employers intend to discriminate, but its more to do with education, awareness coming from general nervousness from a stereotypical characteristic of a deaf person being able to undertake the same tasks as a non-deaf person.

 

I am a keen sailor and have already circumnavigated solo around Australia in 2009/10, and would like to take this to the next step to be the first deaf sailor to sail around the world non-stop and unassisted and help raise awareness and opportunity for the deaf people in society.