I am Not Done Sailing - Blog by Anne Dalbjerg
Anne Dalbjerg
MS Crew Blog - October 1, 2014
When I got home from sailing on Oceans of Hope, I sat down on my couch staring quietly at nothing… thinking "now what?" I felt that something was missing. Two days later, I was back to work and to a lot of questions about the trip. Two months later I still get a lot of questions. I have started doing more charity work to help others facing critical diseases and those in need of a smile.
Sitting under a starry sky and having a glimpse of dolphins playing in the calm water is a treasured moment from the trip - one that couldn't be captured in a photo, but only absorbed by your mind and kept in your memory. That quiet moment away from a normal day at shore allows you to really appreciate the adventure of this experience.
Another dear memory was the late evening when Jens told his story about his rescue in the Atlantic Ocean after his boat had hit a container - we were all moved by his words and once again reminded about how one really should live the life in the present, taking some chances once in a while, as you never know what tomorrow brings.
Being on board the Oceans of Hope has taught me a lot about myself and my MS. One day, a crew member said "you realize how much you are fighting for every move you take?" It left me speechless for a while thinking about those words. I realized how stubborn I can be when it comes to moving around – I don't like stairs/ladders and I am not quite comfortable with the gap between the ship and shore while at port - but I found my way of managing it. I also learned the difference of being tired because of the MS (MS fatigue) and being tired because my activity level is higher than usual.
I am not done sailing. I had to allow my body to get a break after I got home, but the blue water and the wind in the sails are screaming at me. From my office desk, I can see the yachts in the local marina reminding me that I need to find out a way to spend more time out on the water.
I thought I was doing some extraordinary things before my voyage. I’ve been to the Great Wall of China, to the Egyptian pyramids at the Giza Plateau, and sailed through the Panama Canal on a cargo ship. But now I have realized that none of these great adventures challenged me as much as being onboard the Oceans of Hope. It was hard work, doing something most people only dream of doing. One of the sailors in my sailing club told me she declined to go on a two week sailing trip, as she thought it would be too hard, and she asked me how I could even manage 5½ weeks when I have MS. Listening to one's limitations is key, but at the same time challenging yourself to do something unusual is terrific. Having MS lulled me into safe travels - but now I dare to do things that may take a lot of strength, but also give me something to treasure.
Would I do another voyage on Oceans of Hope? ABSOLUTELY!