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Image by Beatriz Gros from IBD EII
Hi, I’m John — an IBD warrior, spoonie and wannabe solo world sailor.
At 16, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Since then, I’ve faced a myriad of health conditions that shaped my journey in ways I never expected. Too often, it felt like medical problems were in control of my life.
Ulcerative colitis took away my first dream of a life at sea. Since then, it — along with a few other challenges — has been chipping away at my freedom, gradually pushing me down a path I don’t want to walk.
Not long ago, I missed an opportunity to help someone who was in the same medical position I once was (and still am!).
That moment lit a fire in me.
So now I’m fighting back — fighting to reclaim my childhood dream of sailing solo, non-stop around the world.
Sailing in Hope was born from this mix of struggle, stubbornness, and salt water. This isn’t about being fearless — it’s about facing fear. It isn’t about avoiding every storm — it’s about learning how to navigate them. And most of all, it’s about reminding anyone who feels lost, isolated, or overwhelmed that hope is still out there, waiting on the horizon.
Navigating Life's Waves—Because It's Not Always Plain Sailing
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