Alexander “Sandy” Mitchell, a Paralympian who founded the WindReach centre for those with special needs, has died aged 74.

Mr Mitchell, born in Edinburgh, Scotland, had cerebral palsy diagnosed early in life, and his determination to defy the label of “disabled” helped inspire Jessica Lewis.

Ms Lewis said: “He never let his disability stop him from anything.”

Mr Mitchell was turned down for agricultural jobs as a young man in Canada.

But he tracked down a farm for adults with Down’s syndrome and was inspired to start the first WindReach farm in Canada.

Mr Mitchell was approached at the dedication of the Canada farm in 1989 by friend and fellow Bermuda Lions member Dudley Cottingham, who urged him to create a similar set-up in Bermuda.

WindReach Recreational Village opened for guests of all ages and abilities ten years later on Spice Hill Road, Warwick.

Lance Furbert, who became executive director of WindReach in 2005, said Mr Mitchell was “an incredible guy” whose first question was: “When can you start?”

Mr Furbert added: “There were those who, as a result of his cerebral palsy, tried to treat him differently. The easiest way of getting Sandy to do something was to tell him he couldn’t do it.

“He was a Paralympian in his sixties. That’s the kind of determination he had. He was an excellent rider, and an inspiration to others, not just at WindReach.”

Ms Lewis said she met Mr Mitchell through horse riding at WindReach — although he pursued sports as varied as cross-country skiing and scuba diving.

In 1996, Mr Mitchell attended the Paralympics in Atlanta as a spectator.

He competed in equestrian events at the 2000 Paralympics in Australia and in Athens, Greece, in 2004.

Ms Lewis said: “I had the honour of watching him compete in the Beijing Games in 2008. He just had the best sense of humour, which would help anybody that needed encouragement to compete at that high level.

“It was an amazing thing, and something I will treasure. His visions and his following through, to create WindReach here and in Canada, has changed the lives of so many.

“It shows us that people with disabilities can be anything they want.”

Mr Mitchell qualified for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, but had to withdraw because of health problems.

Ms Lewis went on to represent the island instead in wheelchair races. She said: “He helped me to become motivated and to push hard to qualify.”

Mr Cottingham said: “Generations have been impacted by Sandy’s vision and action. It is a legacy that will continue to make a difference in a world that Sandy was determined to make better for those with special needs of all ages and the communities they live in.”

Mr Mitchell was awarded an MBE in 2000 and emigrated to Canada in 2004.

Chrissie Kempe, executive director of WindReach, said she met Mr Mitchell last year at WindReach in Ashburn, Canada.

She said: “Sandy’s determination, passion, sense of humour and love of life was infectious.

“Sandy’s full and enriching life clearly stem from his infamous phrase ‘of course we can’.”

Stewie Ritchie, chairman of WindReach Bermuda, added: “Notwithstanding Sandy’s health difficulties in recent years, he retained that same sense of humour and mischievous twinkle in his eye that endeared him to everyone he met.

“Sandy was a truly remarkable individual and the best way we can pay homage to his memory is by continuing the work he started — by celebrating people of all abilities.”

Mr Mitchell served as president of Hamilton Lions Club from 2001 to 2002 and was chairman of all island Lions Clubs from 2002-03.

Mr Cottingham said: “He was an inspiration to me and all the members of the club and he is fondly remembered by us all.”

Mr Mitchell died on Saturday in Uxbridge, Ontario.

He leaves behind two sisters, Esther Lewis and Maggie Balfour, as well as his wife, Sally Mitchell, and son Vincent Mitchell from a previous marriage to Christine Mitchell.

A celebration of Mr Mitchell’s life will be held at WindReach in Canada on Monday and a similar ceremony will be held in Bermuda on a date still to be announced.

•To read the obituary provided for Mr Mitchell, click on the PDF under “Related Media”.