Hello. My name is Kaj. When I first came onboard Oceans of Hope, it was like a dream come true. There was an initial meeting on all the practical information, and we had our sailing gear handed out. Now came the feeling that I was a part of the team.

Empowerment is about exploring, challenging, seeking out and including the potential of people based on the fundamental attitude that people are resources – everyone has resources, even though they are hit by this nasty disease called MS. Empowerment is a vision that is about accepting differences and developing faith in each other, instead letting other powerful individuals take control. And see, that is exactly what we are doing here on Oceans of Hope; here we are all in the same boat, and we accept each other and we participate when there are duties to be dealt with in the manner that we are each able to.

 MS is a lifelong companion who will follow you the rest of your life – so you must look at the opportunities instead of the limits. Catch the moment when you can! Tomorrow might be too late.

 Kind Regards,

Kaj Bjerre Westphal

Danish Translation:

Hallo. Mit navn er Kaj. Da jeg kom ombord på Oceans of Hope var det en drøm som gik i opfyldelse. Der blev holdt et info møde om alt det praktiske, vores sejlertøj blev udleveret, og nu kom den fornemmelse, at nu var jeg en del af holdet. Empowerment sættes i forbindelse med at udforske, udfordre, opsøge og inddrage menneskers potentiale ud fra grundholdningen: Alle mennesker er ressourcer - alle mennesker har ressourcer, også selvom vi er ramt af den grimme sygdom MS. Empowerment er et menneskesyn, der handler om at acceptere forskellighed og udvikle tro på hinanden i stedet for magtfulde andre. Se, det er lige hvad vi gør her på Oceans of Hope; Her er vi alle i samme båd og vi accepterer hinanden, og deltager når opgaver skal løses på det niveau, den enkelte har at tilbyde. MS er en livsledsager, der følger dig resten af dit liv - derfor skal man se muligheder frem for begrænsninger. Så grib muligheden når den er der! I morgen kan være for sent.

 Vh. Kaj Bjerre Westphal