POWER OF determination

Three women share how perseverance can lead to new opportunities

- KIM WILLIS

‘Sailing helps me focus on what I can do, rather than what I can’t’

Nicola Kaufman, 49, lives in Horsham, West Sussex, with her husband Adrian, 49. By the time I found out that I had multiple sclerosis (MS) – a condition that affects the brain and central nervous system – I was so exhausted. I could only work four hours a week. I struggled with balance and sensory problems, such as pins and needles, and nerve pain. Two years later, at 38, I was medically retired. While my husband Adrian was out at work, I’d stay at home. It was a lonely, dark time.

In summer 2014, my mum told me about Oceans of Hope, a boat crewed by people with MS, sailing around the world. It was coming to Portsmouth for day sails. I had little experience of sailing, but it felt serendipitous that this opportunity had come along at my lowest point.

The day sail was fun, and it was inspiring to meet crew members with MS. I was also uplifted by hearing neurologist Dr Mikkel Anthonisen – founder of Danish foundation Sailing Sclerosis, who had bought Oceans of Hope – talk about finding a way for people with MS to sail.

I applied to take part in a leg of the global circumnavigation. In November 2014, I flew to the US to join the boat, sailing from Charleston to Fort Lauderdale. I had never flown long-haul or travelled alone before.

Taking turns to watch the sea at night meant getting up in the dark and heading up on deck, which was hard at first. But I came to love how many stars I could see.

At the wrap party, I met Robert Munns, who had done a different leg of the journey. Together, we founded Oceans of Hope UK, which is affiliated with Sailing Sclerosis. In May 2016, we hired boats to sail 38 people around Turkey. Since then, more than 2,000 people who have MS have sailed with us around the UK, Croatia, New Zealand, Greece, Mexico, Sardinia and elsewhere. I’ve loved seeing them flourish.