Suzanne Morris, clinical nurse specialist for rheumatology at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, had the experience of a lifetime recently when she acted as 'buddy' on the tallship 'Tenacious' for one of her patients, Jean Bailey- Dering. The voyage was organised by the Pembrokeshire branch of the Jubilee Sailing Trust, a national charity that aims to integrate people of all physical abilities to sail side by side on equal terms. Suzanne said: "Jean had the opportunity of going on board thanks to generous donations from Arthritis Care and Texaco, but needed a 'buddy' to help her with her day-to-day personal care. Jean has suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for many years and needs a wheelchair to get around. When she said she was stuck for a 'buddy', I volunteered. It's not everyday you get this kind of opportunity!" The six-day voyage left from Milford Haven and stopped at Dartmouth and Alderney in the Channel Islands, before docking finally in Southampton. Everyone on board was expected to take an active part in crewing the ship, including steering, sail setting and mess duty. "To be able to join the working crew of such a vessel was a dream come true," said Jean. "Everybody on board contributed to the running of the ship, able-bodied or otherwise. Just like the able-bodied sailors, we were invited to 'go aloft', in our case by hoist up the main mast. We were also able to travel ashore in the ship's tenders via a bosun's lift over the side, our wheelchairs preceding us." Jean added that she left the ship in high spirits and with an enormous sense of personal achievement. She paid tribute to Suzanne who acted as her carer and constantly encouraging companion, and she described the Jubilee Sailing Trust as "a wonderful charity which focuses on what people can do rather than their limitations." Suzanne and Jean raised almost £900 for the local branch of the Jubilee Sailing Trust. They hope to visit local groups and societies with their tales of the high sea to raise awareness of rheumatoid arthritis (which affects one per cent of the population), as well as publicising the work of the Jubilee Sailing Trust in Pembrokeshire. For more information about the Trust, contact Suzanne on 01437 773987.
