MS sailors arrive in Aus

Australians with multiple sclerosis (MS) are taking part in a world-first voyage that arrived in Sydney at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia for World MS Day on May 27 before setting sail up the east coast of Australia.

Oceans of Hope, the 67-foot yacht undertaking the first global circumnavigation with a working crew of people living with MS, aims to change perceptions of MS by showing what is possible when people with a chronic disease are empowered to conquer their individual challenges.

There are over 23,000 people living with MS in Australia, a debilitating neurological disease of the central nervous system that interferes with nerve impulses within the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. People with MS are typically diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40 years although onset of symptoms may be earlier.

Australians Andrew Potter and Greg Pugh are two of the crew members with MS who joined Oceans of Hope before reaching Sydney. They will remain on board as the yacht sails up the east coast all the way to Darwin.

"It’s a privilege to join Oceans of Hope to help inspire others with MS and raise awareness of this devastating neurological condition. People with MS can still do great things and this world-first sail is testament to the progress that has been made in treating and managing MS," said Mr Potter.

Greg Pugh thought his dreams of ever sailing again were shattered when he was diagnosed with MS in 2008. For an experienced sailor who had spent almost 40 years on the water, it was a huge blow.

"Nobody wanted me on their boat because I couldn’t do my share of the work or even carry the boat in and out of the water. My poor balance stops me from being able to swing on a trapeze wire. Sailing with Oceans of Hope is an absolute dream come true and a fantastic experience," said Mr Pugh.

Oceans of Hope, sponsored by Biogen, is the flagship vessel of the Sailing Sclerosis Foundation and is making a 33,000 nautical mile voyage. The Sailing Sclerosis Foundation was founded by Danish doctor and psychotherapist, Mikkel Anthonisen, who has also captained the yacht part-time during the voyage.

"It’s a great moment to be in Sydney for World MS Day and to have reached the half-way-point around the world on our circumnavigation. Oceans of Hope is about giving hope and providing possibilities to people living with MS. We want to create equal access to empowerment and to change the perception of what it is like to live with a chronic disabling disease. The MS crew can be very proud of their achievement," said Dr Anthonisen.

Oceans of Hope will be in Sydney until 31st May and is expected to complete its round-the-world journey in Barcelona during October of 2015 where the yacht and crew will attend the MS2015 ECTRIMS global conference.