Who is Lenny?

ABOUT LENNY

Lenny Peers is a life long Sailor and Boat Builder who had always dreamt of sailing around the world. Just when he thought he had made it in life and was ready to head out cruising in retirement he was diagnosed with MND. His world and that of his family came crashing down with the news of a life expectancy of only 3-4 years. MND forced Lenny to sell his boat and give away his life on the water for one on land.

With MND an ever present shadow over him he never thought that he would see his dream become a reality until he joined the sailing catamaran “Team Talisker” as the “Boat Whisperer” in several significant races on the Queensland coast of Australia. Deeply moved by his story, Skipper Alan and First Mate Yvonne proposed to Lenny that he should not let MND stop him from fulfilling his dream of a world circumnavigation.

Just like that “Lenny’s Lap” was born. It serves to fulfil a great man’s dream whilst utilising a great adventure to make a difference in this world.

“Don’t worry about anything else, just watch the tell tails!“

– Lenny Peers

LENNY’S STORY

My Wife Isla and I purchased a Fusion 40 catamaran for our retirement to live on board and go travelling. In 2012 and 2013 we travelled up and down the east coat between Lizard island in the north to Brisbane in the south.

August 2013 we were in Mackay Marina, I went to fill up two 20L Gerry cans of fuel and was carrying them back to the boat when I kept dropping the one in my left hand had to get a trolley to get them back to the boat. I didn’t know but this was the onset of MND.

Later that year heading down inside Fraser Island we were flying a spinnaker and it was time to pull it down, so I went forward to pull the sock down and it kept slipping through my left hand. I eventually got it down but it was frustrating. Another sign of MND.

On our return to Manly Marina December 2013 a few of our friends had mentioned that I had lost weight especially around the shoulders. I’ve made made an appointment with my GP for a general check up.

10/01/2014
My GP Dr. Rosendahl sent a letter to Neurologist Dr. Noel Saines which read:

Dear Noel.
I am concerned because this man has signs that put Motor Neurone Disease as my provisional diagnosis. Can you fit him in urgently? Alternatively could you please suggest a colleague?

I went to see Dr. Noel Saines, he wanted to do further tests and booked me into the Wesley Hospital where I was in for 4 days. I had 2 MRI’s, lumbar puncture and nerve tests. Isla had been coming up to visit each day and I never felt sick, so I said don’t come in the morning. We were living on the boat in Manly at that time.

14/02/2014
Mid morning Dr. Saines walked in and gave me the news I had MND.

The life expectancy is 2-4 years. He advised to put all my affairs in place by means wills, power of attorney, advanced health directive, and go out and enjoy life!

It was a bit sobering at the time and it took a little to get my head around it before I made the phone call to tell Isla. Isla came up to the hospital and I rang my daughter Sally, she was working in Brisbane at the time and together with our son she came to the hospital straight away.

Not a good day.

Dr. Christopher Staples wrote a letter to my GP (first paragraph):

28/02/2014
Len wanted a second opinion regarding his MND and I agree with Noel Saines that this is the diagnosis although presently he only has lower motor neuron features. My advice is to get on with life. We discussed the need for an update will, enduring power of attorney and an advanced health directive. He is planning on joining the MND association. We discussed the limited role of Rilutek, Noel has already mentioned it to him and he is not keen, and we also discussed the use of a Peg and non invasive ventilation. He and his wife are planning shortly to sail back up to Cairns and are thinking of overseas trips, and they need to be encouraged before the weakness becomes too disabling. One big issue is that they live on a sailing boat and will need to explore an alternative.

I joined the MND QLD Association and went along to the Royal Brisbane Womens Hospital
MND Research. I’ve asked Neurologist Dr. Rob Henderson what he thought about us sailing around Australia and he said go for it while you can.

19/05/2014
We left Manly for an around Australia trip.

17/12/2014
Completed around Australia trip on the Wednesday.

23/12/2014
We sold the boat.

The trip was good for me. It put my head in a clear space but the cloud of MND hanging over our head was tough on Isla. We moved down the coast to find somewhere to live away from Brisbane, buy a motor home, do some travelling and go on overseas trips. One day my good friend Alan rang me to see if I wanted to go Wags Racing with him. Isla said go for it it will be good for you. And it was.

We ended up doing the Hamilton Island race week with Team Talisker in 2015 and 2016.
Yvonne was part of the team. October 2016, Alan, Yvonne and myself participated in the Manly combined clubs and one night we were all sitting around talking about sailing around the world. Lenny’s Lap was born then.

I was so excited that such an opportunity was offered to me as I believed it was beyond my capabilities. What a wonderful generous friend Al is to offer to fulfill my lifetime dream of sailing around the world and being able to help raise funds for MND research.

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