A transatlantic sailing journey departing from Cape Town is carrying more than a crew… it’s carrying awareness, compassion and a commitment to making a difference.
Johannesburg, South Africa (08 January 2026) – Good news can arrive through intention and action. Through people who look at a personal dream and ask how it might serve others too. As four South Africans prepare to sail across the Atlantic, their journey carries far more than wind and water.
When I spoke to Jake Brinkley, it was clear that this voyage began long before the sails were raised. Jake is a critical care paramedic. He’s also a sailor. And, as he shared openly with me, he was diagnosed with autism as an adult, an experience that reshaped how he understands himself, his work and the people he encounters every day.
“I’ve always felt like certain things that came easily to others were not as natural for me, and I’ve always felt different,” Jake explained. “Two years ago I went for an autism evaluation. I didn’t think anything would come of it… and then I was diagnosed. It came as quite a shock, because I didn’t think I fit the picture in my head of what autism typically looked like.”
That diagnosis led to a period of reflection and learning. Jake spoke candidly about the complexity of it all, the questions, the guilt and the growing awareness.
“I spent a great deal of time learning about autism and about how the spectrum actually works. I felt guilty because there are those with autism who have far greater struggles than I do. I worried that my diagnosis detracted from their hardship.”
At the same time, his work as a paramedic brought him face-to-face with autistic children and families navigating overwhelming realities.
“I could see parents who were exhausted and feeling out of their depth, and I saw kids who couldn’t communicate their needs to their parents,” he said. “Even though I don’t see many of these patients, the few I have seen really left an impact.”
Running alongside this deeply personal journey is another story, one rooted in family and a lifelong dream.
“Not to speak for the man, but it’s always been my dad’s dream to sail around the world,” Jake told me. “He’s the best sailor I know (zero bias obviously) and he’s finally making it happen, with a LOT of help from his wife.”
After years of preparation and his father’s recent retirement, that dream is now underway.
In early January, the crew of four (Jake, his dad, Peter Brinkley, his stepmom, Sheena Brinkley, and *Danica) will set sail from Cape Town, heading to St Helena Island, then on toward Brazil and the Caribbean. The crossing is expected to take between 35 and 45 days, weather permitting.
“When I heard their first leg was the Atlantic crossing, I jumped at the chance to join them,” Jake said. “It’s an incredible privilege to be able to do something like this. And that made me stop and think, how could I use this for something bigger than myself?”
That question became the heart of a Voyage with Purpose.
Jake decided to use the journey to raise awareness and funds for Autism South Africa through a crowdfunding campaign. He’ll be sharing updates from the ocean on both Facebook and Instagram, documenting the experience and inviting people to follow along.
“I realised it would be an amazing opportunity to raise awareness about autism and raise funds for an organisation like Autism South Africa,” he said. “They do a great job supporting people like me, but especially those who’ve been dealt a more difficult hand.”
There’s another layer to this journey that makes it even more meaningful. For the past five years, Jake has lived and worked in the Middle East, meaning precious family time has been limited.
“I’ve missed out on five years of my family’s lives,” he told me. “That’s taught me how important it is to treasure the time you do get. I’m really looking forward to spending this time with my dad, and to being part of realising his dream.”
And beyond the sailing, beyond the fundraising, there’s hope.
“For autistic people and their families watching, I hope this shows them that people care,” Jake said. “And I hope it inspires others to look at opportunities in their own lives and ask how they might make a difference.”
When I spoke to Juliet Carter, National Director of Autism South Africa, that sense of care and connection came through immediately.
“Admiration,” she said, when I asked what this voyage stirred in her personally.
“It takes tremendous courage to brave the vast ocean, and to do so in support of raising autism awareness really humbled me. There are such amazing people out there. The average South African (for me) has a heart that is so huge. We truly care about one another.”
For families living with autism, visible support like this carries profound meaning.
“We feel seen and heard,” Juliet explained. “For decades autism was seldom spoken about, and very little support was available. When people support autism in a visible, courageous, and human way, it makes us feel validated. It tells us that we matter.”
The impact goes beyond symbolism. It enables real work on the ground.
“Our work is deeply personal,” she said. “Most of our team are parents, siblings, or close family members of autistic people. We are here because this is our vocation and our calling. Support like this allows us to extend our reach, strengthen our programmes, and respond to the growing need for practical support across our communities.”
As the boat prepares to leave Cape Town, the Atlantic ahead will demand patience, resilience and trust. There will be long days, changing conditions and moments of quiet reflection out at sea.
But this voyage is already doing what it set out to do. It’s turning a personal dream into collective good. It’s reminding families affected by autism that they are seen. And it’s showing how intention, action, and heart can travel together… carried by family, fuelled by purpose and guided by the belief that even the biggest journeys can help others along the way.
*Danica would prefer her surname remain anonymous
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