My occupation is an 【小题1】 (architecture). I had only swum in open water a few times, and always in gentle lakes, so how rough Lake Windermere appeared on a cold day was not 【小题2】 I was prepared for. 【小题3】 was acknowledged that the water might feel colder than it had been measured, and that the water was a bit rough. But I, along with 10,000 others, was about to face the challenge. The task might sound 【小题4】 (ambition). I said to my family members, “At this time tomorrow I will be swimming in the lake.”

Most of the participants were doing a one-mile race, and 10 races were planned over the weekend. The participants ranged from very old people to very young swimmers. The oldest woman competing was 77, taking part in the two-mile race, alongside a man who last year swam in every one-mile race.

It was the third one-mile race of the day that 【小题5】 (chose) by me three days before. There were over 600 participants in my race. After being taken through a preparation area, we felt how cold the water was. “Not too bad” was everyone’s thought! Then we headed out towards the middle of the lake.

I stared at the lake for some time, wondering if I could finish the competition smoothly. Though 【小题6】 (warn) that the first 100 meters would be really rough, somewhere near the 750m mark I was still waiting for the calm. It felt more like swimming in the sea than a lake. I tried to focus on my breathing and skill, and just constantly made an effort 【小题7】 (swim). Hardly had I approached the 400m-to-go mark when my lower right leg became incredibly painful. I began to feel the entire le g tight and exhausted. No matter how terrible I felt, I didn’t want to stop, so I bent my right knee and just kicked with the left leg. The 【小题8】 (consume) of my energy was so high.

My finishing time was 38 minutes 25 seconds but that didn’t matter—the atmosphere was absorbing and everyone felt a sense of achievement, whatever their time was. It was my perseverance that contributed to my finishing the race. The success could boost my 【小题9】 (confident). I’m attracted and want to give it another go. If possible, I will sign up for my next open-water swim. Now this is an activity I am willing to engage 【小题10】.

SIT’N’SKATE is a non-profit organization that works towards a more inclusive (包容广阔的) society and aims 【小题1】(reduce) prejudices (偏见) towards disabled people and wheelchair users. The project was started by Lisa and David Lebuser in Hamburg. The idea was to show that a wheelchair does not only have to be a basic aid but can also be a cool and stylish piece of sports equipment. The team around the two founders has grown 【小题2】(rapid) since then and their wheelchair skate services can now 【小题3】(find) in various German cities.

The vision of SIT’N’SKATE is to provide people in wheelchairs 【小题4】 a low-threshold (低门槛的) movement experience to make everyday wheelchair use 【小题5】(easy) than before. For this purpose, regular wheelchair skate meetings are offered in Bremen, Dortmund, Hamburg and Hanover to improve the flexibility and 【小题6】(independent) of wheelchair users.

The project also offers 【小题7】 variety of other activities. In SIT’N’SKATE’s latest programme, ramps (坡道) are spread to shops in Hamburg whose entrances have steps. This improves accessibility and removes many 【小题8】(difficult) for wheelchair users.

Through their activities, SIT’N’SKATE makes a significant contribution to 【小题9】(change) the way people with disabilities and wheelchair users are regarded. They promote an inclusive society in 【小题10】 prejudices are reduced and people with disabilities are recognised as equal members.