Stephen invites people with MS to come sailing

Stephen Fitzpatrick who hopes to set up an Irish branch of Oceans of Hope for people with MS who want to sail.jpg

A man diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) who says his life was transformed by spending time at sea, plans to run sailing days around the coast for people with the condition.

Stephen Fitzpatrick, 56, has linked up with the British charity Oceans of Hope Challenge to run the first such pilot day on the water in Dun Laoghaire this week.

The event, which is supported by MS Ireland, is already booked out, but Mr Fitzpatrick hopes that the 20 people on a waiting list may also secure an opportunity later on.

Mr Fitzpatrick, who is from Dublin but lives in Killorglin, Co Kerry, was diagnosed with MS five years ago.

“Someone said it is like walking along normally and then falling through a trapdoor into another life", he says, describing how it took him a long time to adjust.

“I had always sailed and had a Laser dinghy on Caragh lake near Killorglin, but was initially nervous about how I would manage if I capsized,” he says.

However, he regained his confidence after he participated in an Oceans of Hope Challenge cruise in Greek waters last year, when he spent a week at sea with people he had never met before, all with one condition in common.

“The philosophy of the journey was simple: do what you can and take breaks whenever necessary. Everyone understood the individual challenges faced by participants”, he says, recalling how refreshing the experience was.

Oceans of Hope Challenge UK founder Robert Munns on right.jpg

“As someone once put it, ‘courage comes after you do something that truly scares you, and not before’.”

The experience inspired him to work with Oceans of Hope founder Robert Munns to establish an Irish branch.

Mr Munns was working as a marina manager in Brighton, England, when he was diagnosed with MS in 2008.

A chance meeting at the marina with a Danish doctor, Mikkel Anthonisen led to him participating in one leg of a global circumnavigation on board Oceans of Hope, a 67fy racing yacht.

Dr Anthonisen had put together a crew of over 100 people with MS from around the world to complete the sail in 2014-15. His aim was to “change perceptions of what is possible when living with a chronic and debilitating condition”.

“It wasn’t until I got on the boat that I realised how locked in I was in my head, and how I wasn’t living my life to the full,“ Mr Munns recalls.

The British wing of Oceans of Hope which Mr Munns has established with Nicola Kaufman since then has held a number of sailing events for people with MS, initially in Turkey and Croatia and beyond.

“We keep it lean, as we don’t own any boats, but we charter vessels that are suitable, and ensure we have a qualified skipper and crew for support where necessary,” he says. “About 80% of our first-time participants return for more."

The first Irish event for people with MS takes place at the Irish National Sailing and Powerboat School in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin on April 10, weather permitting.

MS Ireland marketing and communications officer Fergal O’Keeffe says that while places are booked up, there are plans for further opportunities.

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