Editor’s Note: This story is a continuation of Jenny Decker’s global sailing voyage. To see the original article, please click here.
Jenny Decker left Hawaii in 2023 on her vessel Tiama determined to solo circumnavigate the globe and create awareness for Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT), a fatal and incurable disease that slowly restricts a person’s muscles and balance. Her mother also received a CMT diagnosis and is currently confined to a wheelchair.
Jenny’s Current Location
Jenny is currently sailing in the Indian Ocean, having just left Thailand. She is also on target to be the first woman with CMT to solo circumnavigate the globe.
A Recap
After years of being misdiagnosed, when Jenny was 19 years old, she was told that she had CMT. Jenny credits the operation performed by doctors at the Shriners Hospital for her being able to walk.
Avoiding a Tsunami
Jenny had a few areas that she especially wanted to visit, and Vanuatu was at the top of her list. There have been many close calls including a 7.3-magnitude tsunami near Vanuatu that missed Jenny’s vessel, but caused considerable damage with estimates in millions of dollars.
The Indian Ocean crossing includes an extensive traversal of the South Pacific. Jenny had been sailing in the direction of the Maldives after she headed to the port of Sorong in late 2024.
The Next Destination: Indonesia
After navigating through Indonesia, Jenny reached the port of Sorong as planned. Her Maltese dog, Romeo, was her constant sailing companion for 18 years but became ill on the voyage and did not survive. Jenny often diaries how much she loves and misses Romeo.
The Indian Ocean crossing includes an extensive traversal of the South Pacific. Jenny had been sailing in the direction of the Maldives after which she headed to the port of Sorong in late 2024.
Upon navigating the final lap, Jenny will be crossing the Indian Ocean, round the Cape of Good Hope in Africa, access the Panama Canal and end her voyage in Hawaii.
After over fifty hours combined flight time from Lombok, Indonesia to St. Louis, Missouri, Jenny is now at home for a brief visit.
Patient Worthy and its readers may continue to follow Jenny in subsequent articles as it supports her efforts to bring awareness to patients with the disease.
I deleted my usual closing as I am trying to focus on Jenny.
Readers may show support through Jenny’s GoFundMe page or link.
