PHOTO: Suki Finnerty

Meet Capt. Jody Hill (in the red jacket), whose big plans for sailing in the 2012 Paralympic Games are outshined only by the big smile on his face when he talks about accomplishing his goal. That goal is becoming closer to reality, thanks to the sponsorship of Moore Stephens Isle of Man, some of whose staff are pictured with him.

Moore Stephens has set Hill up with a website, Jody Hill 2012, as well as Jody Hill 2012 Facebook and Twitter presences. The firm is further helping Hill, securing sails and related items for his boat, a 2.4 Meter Class sloop christened Positive, and securing donations via his JodyHill2012 website.

To better understand why the yachting industry plus crew, owners, and others alike are donating to his cause, you have to start with the tragedy that brought him to this pursuit of Paralympic triumph. In 2006, days after stepping off his charge, the classic, 1934-built sailing yacht Flicka, Hill was the victim of a horrific accident. While driving a car in Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, Hill attempted to make a U turn, when the car suddenly slid down an embankment. When Hill woke up, he was in a hospital, paralyzed from the chest down. The rest of the story is all too familiar: Due to his lack of health insurance, the island hospital staff reportedly let him languish in bed. He attempted to get a hospital near his hometown in Houston to admit him, but was turned down, again because of insurance. When another hospital stateside finally took him in, he spent 100 days there rehabilitating.

Thankfully, this is where the story turns to triumph. A sailor since childhood, Hill was determined to get back out on the water. Within weeks he established Positive Sailing, a charitable organization focused on teaching disabled people how to sail. And within two years Hill was living and teaching aboard a 24-foot sloop, donated by a neighbor. After competing aboard a loaner boat in the North American Challenge Cup Regatta in July 2010, Hill got hooked on competitive sailing. This year he won second place in the North American Challenge Cup and third place in the U.S. disabled sailing championships.

“Jody is an inspiration to everyone, especially those dealing with physical challenges,” says Clive Dixon, partner of Moore Stephens.

“I’m going to win gold at the London Paralympics,” Hill asserts. He doesn’t plan to stop there: Hill fully intends to compete again at the Paralympics in 2016 in Rio.

To support Hill’s efforts, visit the donations page for him and Team Positive.