When Virginia discovered a passion for sailing in her 20s, she never imagined it would lead to her meeting the love of her life. “I had gone to university, but I left because there was no provision for deaf people,” says Virginia, who lost her hearing as a child after contracting meningitis. “Some friends introduced me to the Ocean Youth Trust, which offered sailing training, and I loved that. But after a while, I wanted more responsibility.”
An opportunity came up to become a permanent crew member on a tall ship, which travelled around the UK and Europe, called the Lord Nelson, and she jumped at the chance. The voyages were arranged by a charity that paired able-bodied and disabled sailors together to support each other on board. “I became the bosun’s mate,” says Virginia.
