For years I have felt a need to do something extraordinary, but I have limited myself, having repeatedly pulled the MS card. With Sailing Sclerosis and Oceans of Hope I was offered the opportunity that would make the extraordinary possible for me. I grabbed it and was lucky to get several weeks on the boat on what I thought would be an easier trip.

It proved very extraordinary… I have been challenged - not only by wind and waves and living on the boat, but also by spending a lot of time together with a lot of people, something that I hadn't really thought much about when preparing myself for this journey. Instead of only time on the boat and on the water, we have spent time sightseeing, shopping and looking at the local surroundings in each port Oceans of Hope has visited.

I have been challenged, by the East Coast of the U.S. and here comes what I have learned… I do not need to seek such challenge by doing extraordinary things - I'm satisfied with my life as it is… Nice!

I think to me this trip has proved a marathon would easy in comparison. I wouldn't want to be without it. As another benefit from the project, I now also have the sailing as a hobby - a hobby that can challenge me in the future. The water where I sail in Denmark is small but difficult (Køge Bugt), and so is learning to navigate. It is also a hobby I can use when speaking to other fellow MS'ers and also a hobby, that I can help other people enjoy who may be living with the difficulties following sickness or accidents.

Report by Bosun Bertram:

Sailing in the night and waking up in a new sunny town each morning has been our routine since Charleston, and this morning we woke up to the glamorous front of West Palm Beach. We are literally feeling how the temperatures are rising by the day as we progress south, and this morning we were wearing shorts and t-shirts again as we moored the boat. We haven't done that since Boston! 

We plan to spend the night here before making the final stretch toward Fort Lauderdale for our official arrival on Wednesday the 3rd at 11:00! 

Local time onboard is 12:00 and our current position is 26°42'975N 80°02'899W.