A female individual suffering from a genetic condition that impairs her breathing has successfully accomplished a world-record-setting rowing feat across the Atlantic Ocean.
Sophie Pierce, aged 32, from the Neyland Rowing Club located in Pembrokshire, stands as the first individual with
cystic fibrosis
to brave the journey.
She was accompanied by three women from the club who embarked on the 3,200-mile (5,150 km) journey across the ocean from Lanzarote to Antigua in January. They successfully achieved their objective on Thursday evening, arriving one week earlier than planned.
Mrs. Pierce mentioned that the 53-day voyage was “extremely challenging” yet “empowering.”
“If you had told me five years ago that I would be standing here in Antigua after rowing an ocean, I would have laughed,” Ms Pierce said.
She previously said she had become determined to
maximize her time effectively
following the realization that her condition could shorten her lifespan.
“I hope this challenge not only inspires others with cystic fibrosis to push boundaries but also helps reimagine the future,” she added.
Janine Williams, aged 70, who broke the world record for being the oldest individual to row across an ocean, stated that her experience was “a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.”
“Many people questioned whether I should be concerned about competing in rowing at 70, yet I never had any doubts that we couldn’t achieve it. One is never too old to pursue something extraordinary,” she stated.
They were also accompanied by Polly Zippel, aged 50, and Miyah Periam, who is 24, having raised £20,000 for their selected charitable causes.
The team rowed in shifts and only stopped to eat or shelter from big waves.
Ms. Periam mentioned that it was more challenging than she had ever anticipated, and Ms. Zipperlen remarked that the ocean put them through “every test imaginable.”
They subsisted on dehydrated food and utilized a water desalination system, along with lugging around a refrigerator for Mr. Pierce’s daughter’s medicine related to cystic fibrosis.
Ms. Zipperlen further explained, “This wasn’t merely about rowing; it was about demonstrating what can be achieved when you collaborate and persist without surrendering.”
Even though she was identified at birth, Ms. Pierce only learned about her prognosis, which stated that individuals with the condition typically live into their early thirties, during her teenage years while hospitalized. She recalled feeling profoundly shaken by this revelation.
She commented, “Since I didn’t plan on staying for a prolonged period, I decided to ensure my time would be well spent.”
Mrs. Pierce has also ascended Kilimanjro, the tallest mountain in Africa, and trekked the entire length of Offa’s Dyke and Hadrian’s Wall.
When she hit rock bottom, her lung capacity fell to just 55% of what would typically be expected for someone her age, requiring “one or two hours of daily physiotherapy,” along with consuming more than 30 pills each day and attending monthly hospital visits.
A significant moment occurred when Ms. Pierce was invited to participate in a clinical trial. Even though she wasn’t aware of whether she received the actual medication or just a placebo, she felt a change right away.
“As I headed home, I recalled noticing a shift within my chest, though I believed it was just psychological,” she explained.
Ms. Pierce’s lung capacity significantly increased—from 55% to 71%. Her condition has become far more stable, resulting in fewer trips to the hospital.
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