Susan Strachan
Crew
Susan Strachan has been living with multiple sclerosis for 14 years. In 1999, while exercising on a treadmill, she had a very sudden and frightening onset of optic neuritis (blindness due to nerve damage). Four months later she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Thankfully Susan ultimately regained 80 per cent of her vision in her right eye but remains essentially blind in the left eye.
The first American to join the crew of Oceans of Hope, Susan learned to sail aged 12 at sailing camp and has sailed regularly at Hyannis Port on Cape Cod. She will join the crew in Bermuda to sail to home to Boston.
Susan has worked in event planning/management and fundraising for more than 25 years, in the arts, health and homelessness sectors.
When Susan was recovering from the initial MS attack, as a blind person, she found it very difficult to get information or local support for patients with MS. As she recovered she continued to search for local support and two years later founded MS Cure Fund, a non-profit organisation committed to patient support in the local communities where they live and work.
Susan is an avid golfer, downhill skier and enjoys attending performances of the Boston Pops Orchestra as often as possible.