Sailing for MS Awareness
60 Sailors with Multiple Sclerosis will be sailing around Croatia in May 2017 to show the world that living with MS is not the end of your life. A flotilla of ten yachts will take a week-long trip, and each yacht will be manoeuvred around the Dalmation Coast by six MS sufferers like Ingrid Robertson.
She Likes to do Exciting Things
A self-proclaimed adrenalin junkie, Ingrid Robertson from Christchurch is a stellar example of how not to succumb to self-pity when afflicted by a debilitating disease like Multiple Sclerosis. Robertson has a mission not to let the problems with her body get in the way of having fun and staying positive by doing crazy things like bungee jumping and parachuting – and now sailing across treacherous oceans with zero experience.
A Journey of Hope
Diagnosed in 1999, Ingrid Robertson has had ups and downs as can be expected, but keeps her spirits up by getting involved with activities like Oceans of Hope. Robertson and the other participants’ can-do attitude is an inspiration to all. Some of these brave individuals are wheelchair bound and yet do not put a limit on themselves. Robertson is grateful for this opportunity and plans to pay it forward by sharing what she has learned on the journey when she returns. According to the aspiring sailor, one of her main goals is to show others that it is possible to get up and do things – even if it is using a stick or a wheelchair to get around.
Oceans of Hope
Mikkel Anthonisen, founder of Sailing Sclerosis set up the Oceans of Hope initiative in 2015 with the aim of getting people living with MS to do sailing excursions. In 2016 sailors went to Turkey, and this year the crews are excited about heading to Croatia.