Jasmina - 22/11/2009 - Log Day 0 - Getting to the start line
Jasmina is a Beneteau 57 and her crew have been sailing mates for about 12 years going off for a week each year. In 2007 we decided to go for the Atlantic with ARC 2009, shortly after which Robert (middle right on the photo) was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). We strove to keep the dream alive and here we are, a complete team with Robert with us. 50% of people die within 2 years of diagnosis so we are all only too aware of how rapidly debillitating and challenging this disease can be. It is a credit his family, medical team back home and sailing mates in the support they have shown but the spirit and courage/commitment that Robert himself has shown is an example to us all. He cannot speak (communicates with a note pad), cannot eat or drink (all special food has to be injected directly to the stomach -we have some serious stocks of that on Board!) and struggles with muscular weakness. In spite of all this he continues to crack jokes, help with the navigation/route planning, and always stays in good humour. Extraordinary.Not sure if it’s a first for the World Cruising Club ARC for someone with MND to participate but, assuming it is and assuming we get there (more of which in subsequent blogs!) we look forward to a celebratory cold one with the ARC team. I’ll drink Robert’s for him!
Team in photo – Front Philip Taylor; Back Martin Lawrence, Steve Atkinson, Andy Peck; Middle Stuart Chambers, Robert Shaw.
This day's log is by Stuart (Skipper)
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