Paul Callahan - February 4, 2010

Paul Callahan had the catastrophic misfortune of slipping on a wet floor while in college at Harvard University 20 years ago, breaking his spine’s fourth vertebrae. He has been a quadriplegic ever since.

The challenges he has endured to formulate his life path serves as an inspiration. “I had to lay motionless in my bed for nine months,” said Mr. Callahan. “I eventually finished my degree and went on to earn my Harvard MBA, but I couldn’t use my arms and hands to take notes. You would be amazed at how much you can learn by listening.”

The former Wall Street investment advisor for Goldman Sachs, now serves as CEO of Shake-a-Leg Foundation. The non-profit organization is a national leader in therapeutic sailing programs allowing children, adolescents, and adults of varying abilities to dramatically improve their lives.

 

“Self-confidence and self-esteem are the ingredients necessary for individuals to feel good about themselves and improve their quality of life so they can become productive,” said Mr. Callahan whose disabled Sonar sailing team is ranked Number 1 in the USA for 2009.

The avid sailor also skippered his Paralympic team in Sydney 2000. Now Mr. Callahan is expediting "the impossible" by working with a team of naval architects and engineers to adapt the first ever 12-metre America's Cup boat to be handled by crew members with physical disabilities.

“We’re partially there and plan to reach our goal,” said Mr. Callahan. “We are designing a boat that will be fully functional for crews with disabilities.”

For Mr. Callahan, life is a gift of luck and timing and a mission beyond oneself.

“My passion for sailing lies not only in competing and winning races, but simultaneously achieving goals to help others with disabilities.”