Spinal Cord Injury Sailing(CNN) - For many people with spinal cord injuries, keeping fit is tough. Exercises and rehabilitation don't always help patients maintain strength. But now new programs are being designed to give these patients outlets that provide movement and stimulation, not only for the body but for the mind.

Five years ago, John McVey fell from a ladder, crushing his spine and is now permanently paralyzed from the waist down.

"My paralysis is not straight across, it's angled, so I have no use of my abdominal muscles on this side and some use on the other side," he said.

McVey found his wheelchair confining; he was losing muscle strength, and wanted to get stronger.

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