I take pleasure in talking about this project – about getting an idea, believing in it and bringing it to life. To believe that it could be possible to sail around the world with an active crew of people who have a disease in the central nervous system and to prove that it could be done is sensational and I’m sure a lot of doctors admire it.

I have had sclerosis for more than 20 years and it would be easy for me to describe how many obstacles the disease has put in my path. However, no one’s to blame for my health, that’s why I have to take responsibility for today. Tomorrow is going to come, but I have to make sure that this moment, right now, is positive. I’m not naive, on the contrary, I’m grateful to be alive and happy that my network is still the same as it was when I was an active girl with my own company and a workday I wouldn’t want for others.

I’m deeply grateful for the tremendous experience I had on board Oceans of Hope – thank you to everyone who helped turn the dream into reality.

Imagine a rainy day on Oceans of Hope. Faithful Bertram came into the galley completely soaked with a wet shortlist. We caught each other's eyes and I understood that Bertram was done with that list. I grapped it and for the rest of the trip I kept it in my sports bag. When I came home I found a used frame for it. So of course this must be the photo that tells the story of my dear memory of Oceans of Hope. The red nose was also with me on the journey, of course.