Kevin Considine
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2021
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Kiwi-familyToday I heard of two people who took their life within the last few days (I know it happens all the time, but you become more aware of the issue when it reaches your circle - not that I personally knew either of these people).....I wonder if the Camino could be beneficial for those in despair - no, I know it could be - I wonder if there is any way of me facilitating something to connect sufferers with The Way.
Thanks for sharing this post - it has taken my thoughts somewhere quite unexpected.
I have had the same thoughts. In fact if anyone I am talking to expresses significant problems I suggest they consider walking the Camino. I think it has healing powers.Today I heard of two people who took their life within the last few days (I know it happens all the time, but you become more aware of the issue when it reaches your circle - not that I personally knew either of these people).....I wonder if the Camino could be beneficial for those in despair - no, I know it could be - I wonder if there is any way of me facilitating something to connect sufferers with The Way.
Thanks for sharing this post - it has taken my thoughts somewhere quite unexpected.
Have you read https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/a-short-article-in-the-guardian.55814/#post-626301Today I heard of two people who took their life within the last few days (I know it happens all the time, but you become more aware of the issue when it reaches your circle - not that I personally knew either of these people).....I wonder if the Camino could be beneficial for those in despair - no, I know it could be - I wonder if there is any way of me facilitating something to connect sufferers with The Way.
Thanks for sharing this post - it has taken my thoughts somewhere quite unexpected.
Kevin, thank you. You have given so much by sharing this post.I read a recent post by a fellow pilgrim who was struggling emotionally and physically on The Camino which consequently made me think of 4 special Camino buddies who I think of whenever I am finding the going difficult:
View attachment 43139
Dani, a 74 year old French woman that could not weigh more than 70 lbs(31 kilos). On a foggy, gray misty morning out of Barbadelo I approached her from behind thinking she was a child and wondering why she was alone. Dani had lost her husband 2 years earlier and was walking for him. Here I am spontaneously picking her up and hugging her after she informed me she was walking solo and had started where I had, Le Puy en Velay, about 1400 kilometers back in France.
View attachment 43137
Alain and Alice of Paris. Alain was a powerful man, a martial arts instructor who had been diagnosed with MS 6 years before and had required a wheelchair the previous two. He was walking The Camino to give his 2 year old something special to remember him by as he faced a rapid decline in health. And his companion Alice who did not know Alain before this but had helped him to raise funds for a special wheelchair, set up and maintained a blog for the trip and gave him 6 months of her life. I also found that while others focused so much on Alain, Alice was overlooked and yet she carried on selflessly.
View attachment 43138
Last was Lynne Essex, a 58 year old Aussie woman whose path crossed mine in Muxia at the edge of the world. She had just completed a 780 kilometer (500mile) pilgrimage on Camino Francis while I had completed a 1000K walk from Seville on Camino Via de la Plata. I was whining to her about a blister the size of a tennis ball on the bottom of my foot. She told me that she had Stage 4 Cervical Cancer. I spent some time with her that day and she was obviously in pain. She mentioned that she could ‘only’ go about 15K per day on her Camino. I asked her what her doctor said about her going? She said, “He and others told me I was crazy”. She said this with a big happy grin and indicated the pain was getting worse but she was so glad to have been able to finish. A few weeks later I got a message from Lynne that the increasing pain was not the cancer, which was in remission, but a broken pelvis which she most likely had since before starting her Camino.
View attachment 43136
When I am struggling in any way on my current 3000K Camino, I simply think of these 4 and their beautiful spirits and my aching, heavy feet and legs lighten and the next few miles are not nearly as difficult. Thank you to my four friends. Ultreia!
A note of recognition and Ultreia to those people that struggle with various illnesses that take them to the depths of despair that require medication to bring them out of it. Especially deceased relatives Bridget Enright Scanlan and Chris Conrad. And a thank you to Boudewijn van der Ark for helping me and others to better understand the incredibly difficult ongoing battle faced by people with illnesses that cause severe depression.
Very good article. Thanks for adding it to this thread.
Today I heard of two people who took their life within the last few days (I know it happens all the time, but you become more aware of the issue when it reaches your circle - not that I personally knew either of these people).....I wonder if the Camino could be beneficial for those in despair - no, I know it could be - I wonder if there is any way of me facilitating something to connect sufferers with The Way.
Thanks for sharing this post - it has taken my thoughts somewhere quite unexpected.
Kiwi-family
You are right..
Walking the Camino can be extremely beneficial to someone in the midst of despair or depression
Just putting one foot in front of another day after day after day can be and is a very therapeutic experience
Walking in general, with time "to think and stare" certainly part of the treatment for depression.
What an inspiring post from Kevin
With best wishes and thanks
Annette
Hi john,Annette, my plan is to keep putting one foot in front of the other through my daily grind, until I can plac one foot in front of the other on my Camino.
I have a target for 2019, so a reason to live. I hope to walk, state, think and feel the world around me, as I put one foot in front of the other, day after day after day in 2019
When are you planning on walking? I'm headed out for the Primitive around the 11th or so of October. Always nice to have a friendly face when starting...though I usually get left in the dust, as I'm kinda slow!Love this post. I'm returning in the fall for my fourth Camino (the Primitivo this time) and so look forward to the sense of camaraderie that is universal on The Way. Thank you for reminding of the joy of being a pilgrim.
I sincerely hope you’re right about the effects of the Camino. I have this past 12 months come close twice to taking mine, when I don’t have the guts to try, I take risks that might take control of my destiny for me.
I have recently found The Way and this forum, my plan of my own pilgrimage in 2019 has given light and something to aim for, for the next 13 months at least.
Today I heard of two people who took their life within the last few days (I know it happens all the time, but you become more aware of the issue when it reaches your circle - not that I personally knew either of these people).....I wonder if the Camino could be beneficial for those in despair - no, I know it could be - I wonder if there is any way of me facilitating something to connect sufferers with The Way.
Thanks for sharing this post - it has taken my thoughts somewhere quite unexpected.
Beautiful post. Thanks for taking the time to share!
Hi john,
The best of luck to you
You will make it I'm sure
Some great walking in the west of uk also
With good wishes
Annette
@Johnlewis47
There is a previous thread about walking the camino as help to persons who suffer from operational stress injuries. I don't know if you might find this interesting in your personal situation. It can be found at : https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/informational-package-for-ptsd-camino.37496/.
I have heard a lot recently about operational stress injuries suffered by military veterans and persons working in emergency medical services. Your comments on this forum suggest that this might be relevant to you.
Mary Louise
@Johnlewis47
Hi John,
I hope you are well. And congratulations on the decision to walk a Camino. As many have testified, the Camino can be a transformative experience and I hope that this is the case for you.
I hope that, given your current struggles, you have been able to access some of the excellent support we have in the UK with charities and support groups. I really hope that you don't experience that despair again, but if you do please reach out to someone. As you have now recognised, everyone can have a future and yours seems to be beginning with planning next years Camino and I am so pleased that you have this positivity to move forward.
Walking can be an amazing tool for so many aspects of our health and its impact on mental health is being recognised more and more. The UK Ramblers association address this on their website and perhaps they have a branch you could contact for training walks and support. I am sure they would have some great tips on walking long distance and there are some beautiful walks here.
Speaking of which, have you heard of Jake Tyler? Jake was suffering from really debilitating depression and decided to walk the UK, completing some 3000 miles in the process. A google search will bring up lots of articles and news reports but this link is to his take on what walking does for us. Short but succinct.
https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/walking-impacts-mental-health-tips
But in regards to the Camino. It can transform lives. It can be spiritual, healing, revelatory and so many other things but it can be so either very obviously or with subtlety. Some are left disappointed and perhaps feel their expectations were not met. Like life, there are no guarantees. But what it definitely does, is offer opportunities. Opportunities to learn and grow and experience so many things.
You will have the time to be alone or socialise with people from all over the world. And away from the restraints we sometimes have at home, you will have the time and freedom to think. And I sincerely hope that when you do get the chance to take life step after step, as you put it, that those steps lead you to your next path in life.
Have fun planning! And I wish you all the best for you and your Camino.
Bryce
I sincerely hope you’re right about the effects of the Camino. I have this past 12 months come close twice to taking mine, when I don’t have the guts to try, I take risks that might take control of my destiny for me.
I have recently found The Way and this forum, my plan of my own pilgrimage in 2019 has given light and something to aim for, for the next 13 months at least.
Johnlewis, the Camino has been so life-altering that I beg you to keep your eyes focused on your start date, don’t look anywhere else, read this forum daily and join some Facebook groups to follow others’ pilgrimages live. The Camino starts to provide even before you travel to Spain. I returned from my second Camino 2 months ago. I walked the Norte alone mostly in the rain and mud. I’m filled with an intense but gentle JOY for my life and all life around me. I started to feel a bit lost a few weeks back (I’m a wanderer so don’t feel “home” is really anywhere) but as soon as I saw some posts about the Camino Salvador + Primitivo I knew it was calling me. Now I no longer feel lost because the Camino awaits me once again. Buen camino and a prayers.
I read a recent post by a fellow pilgrim who was struggling emotionally and physically on The Camino which consequently made me think of 4 special Camino buddies who I think of whenever I am finding the going difficult:
View attachment 43139
Dani, a 74 year old French woman that could not weigh more than 70 lbs(31 kilos). On a foggy, gray misty morning out of Barbadelo I approached her from behind thinking she was a child and wondering why she was alone. Dani had lost her husband 2 years earlier and was walking for him. Here I am spontaneously picking her up and hugging her after she informed me she was walking solo and had started where I had, Le Puy en Velay, about 1400 kilometers back in France.
View attachment 43137
Alain and Alice of Paris. Alain was a powerful man, a martial arts instructor who had been diagnosed with MS 6 years before and had required a wheelchair the previous two. He was walking The Camino to give his 2 year old something special to remember him by as he faced a rapid decline in health. And his companion Alice who did not know Alain before this but had helped him to raise funds for a special wheelchair, set up and maintained a blog for the trip and gave him 6 months of her life. I also found that while others focused so much on Alain, Alice was overlooked and yet she carried on selflessly.
View attachment 43138
Last was Lynne Essex, a 58 year old Aussie woman whose path crossed mine in Muxia at the edge of the world. She had just completed a 780 kilometer (500mile) pilgrimage on Camino Francis while I had completed a 1000K walk from Seville on Camino Via de la Plata. I was whining to her about a blister the size of a tennis ball on the bottom of my foot. She told me that she had Stage 4 Cervical Cancer. I spent some time with her that day and she was obviously in pain. She mentioned that she could ‘only’ go about 15K per day on her Camino. I asked her what her doctor said about her going? She said, “He and others told me I was crazy”. She said this with a big happy grin and indicated the pain was getting worse but she was so glad to have been able to finish. A few weeks later I got a message from Lynne that the increasing pain was not the cancer, which was in remission, but a broken pelvis which she most likely had since before starting her Camino.
View attachment 43136
When I am struggling in any way on my current 3000K Camino, I simply think of these 4 and their beautiful spirits and my aching, heavy feet and legs lighten and the next few miles are not nearly as difficult. Thank you to my four friends. Ultreia!
A note of recognition and Ultreia to those people that struggle with various illnesses that take them to the depths of despair that require medication to bring them out of it. Especially deceased relatives Bridget Enright Scanlan and Chris Conrad. And a thank you to Boudewijn van der Ark for helping me and others to better understand the incredibly difficult ongoing battle faced by people with illnesses that cause severe depression.
No John, it hasn't, so stop worryingI am worried my plight has clouded the OP, which was not my intention. I found Kevin’s story reassuring and as my own fuel to my light at the end of the tunnel. A Camino experience story that so many have and that I am already joining, thank you @Kevin considine
Dont worry about that Johnie. We are all in this together. That this thread helps you just a little bit is the point and inspires me to keep spreading the word of the miracle of the Camino. I will pass on your message to my Camino Buddies which will make them happy. I have 200 days on the Camino and am currently walking to Santiago from my ancestral home in Ireland. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions on The camino or anything else. Buen Camino and Ultreia!I am worried my plight has clouded the OP, which was not my intention. I found Kevin’s story reassuring and as my own fuel to my light at the end of the tunnel. A Camino experience story that so many have and that I am already joining, thank you @Kevin considine
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.super reminder.
We have hosted such quiet miracles at our house. I remember Vika, from Hungary, a 50-something woman with a terminal tumor condition. Her camino was her last wish. She went very slowly and had to do daily injections... which got her reported to a hospitalero who assumed she was shooting up illegal drugs. He threw her out.
Two athletic German boys knew her story, stood up for her, and were thrown out too! All three slept on the church porch that night.
The two "boys" (they were 19 and 20) spent the rest of their "sport camino" slowly accompanying Vika down the camino, ensuring she got a bed, a meal, and a kind word. They sent a post card from Santiago when they arrived. Their sporty holiday was transformed into a mission of mercy.
Five months later one of the boys sent Vika's funeral announcement. Both boys traveled to Hungary for the Mass. These are three of the most wonderful people I have met on the Road, a holy trinity.
Kevin, you have a right to feel really happy at all the goodness that is flying around as a result of your post. Fair play!I read a recent post by a fellow pilgrim who was struggling emotionally and physically on The Camino which consequently made me think of 4 special Camino buddies who I think of whenever I am finding the going difficult:
View attachment 43139
Dani, a 74 year old French woman that could not weigh more than 70 lbs(31 kilos). On a foggy, gray misty morning out of Barbadelo I approached her from behind thinking she was a child and wondering why she was alone. Dani had lost her husband 2 years earlier and was walking for him. Here I am spontaneously picking her up and hugging her after she informed me she was walking solo and had started where I had, Le Puy en Velay, about 1400 kilometers back in France.
View attachment 43137
Alain and Alice of Paris. Alain was a powerful man, a martial arts instructor who had been diagnosed with MS 6 years before and had required a wheelchair the previous two. He was walking The Camino to give his 2 year old something special to remember him by as he faced a rapid decline in health. And his companion Alice who did not know Alain before this but had helped him to raise funds for a special wheelchair, set up and maintained a blog for the trip and gave him 6 months of her life. I also found that while others focused so much on Alain, Alice was overlooked and yet she carried on selflessly.
View attachment 43138
Last was Lynne Essex, a 58 year old Aussie woman whose path crossed mine in Muxia at the edge of the world. She had just completed a 780 kilometer (500mile) pilgrimage on Camino Francis while I had completed a 1000K walk from Seville on Camino Via de la Plata. I was whining to her about a blister the size of a tennis ball on the bottom of my foot. She told me that she had Stage 4 Cervical Cancer. I spent some time with her that day and she was obviously in pain. She mentioned that she could ‘only’ go about 15K per day on her Camino. I asked her what her doctor said about her going? She said, “He and others told me I was crazy”. She said this with a big happy grin and indicated the pain was getting worse but she was so glad to have been able to finish. A few weeks later I got a message from Lynne that the increasing pain was not the cancer, which was in remission, but a broken pelvis which she most likely had since before starting her Camino.
View attachment 43136
When I am struggling in any way on my current 3000K Camino, I simply think of these 4 and their beautiful spirits and my aching, heavy feet and legs lighten and the next few miles are not nearly as difficult. Thank you to my four friends. Ultreia!
A note of recognition and Ultreia to those people that struggle with various illnesses that take them to the depths of despair that require medication to bring them out of it. Especially deceased relatives Bridget Enright Scanlan and Chris Conrad. And a thank you to Boudewijn van der Ark for helping me and others to better understand the incredibly difficult ongoing battle faced by people with illnesses that cause severe depression.
Thank you. Happy and humbled in Listowel, Ireland.Kevin, you have a right to feel really happy at all the goodness that is flying around as a result of your post. Fair play!
Dont worry about that Johnie. We are all in this together. That this thread helps you just a little bit is the point and inspires me to keep spreading the word of the miracle of the Camino. I will pass on your message to my Camino Buddies which will make them happy. I have 200 days on the Camino and am currently walking to Santiago from my ancestral home in Ireland. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions on The camino or anything else. Buen Camino and Ultreia!
@domigee
Thank you so much for your words. And I agree. Sometimes I would love to plant a big "heart" on a post or thread such as this one. It has been so nice to be reminded to remember those who touched my Camino.
@Johnlewis47
I absolutely agree that it sounds like the best thing for you and I certainly didn't want to emphasise any negative. It has totally transformed my life. As some already know, i battle mental illness but my first Camino in 2013 was life-changing and friends could not believe my new found confidence and peace of mind when I returned. It was the best therapy in the world and I return every year. I am sure it will be everything you want it to be.
The Forum Family you mention is indicative of the Camino Family in my opinion. When walking I came across so many open minded and open hearted people, willing to share their help and knowledge that it was impossible not to be touched by human kindness. And it has been so lovely to see that openness reflected here on the forum. I am so pleased you found it and that it has helped you.
@Rebekah Scott
That is a wonderful story that is humbling and inspiring. It absolutely epitomises what the Camino spirit is all about and is what brings me back to the Camino as well as restoring my faith in people generally. Note to self, stop being so cynical. Thank you for sharing.
Wonderful thread.
@bhavagrahidasa , sometimes ‘like’ isn’t enough.
What a beautiful story. Two young men with amazing hearts!super reminder.
We have hosted such quiet miracles at our house. I remember Vika, from Hungary, a 50-something woman with a terminal tumor condition. Her camino was her last wish. She went very slowly and had to do daily injections... which got her reported to a hospitalero who assumed she was shooting up illegal drugs. He threw her out.
Two athletic German boys knew her story, stood up for her, and were thrown out too! All three slept on the church porch that night.
The two "boys" (they were 19 and 20) spent the rest of their "sport camino" slowly accompanying Vika down the camino, ensuring she got a bed, a meal, and a kind word. They sent a post card from Santiago when they arrived. Their sporty holiday was transformed into a mission of mercy.
Five months later one of the boys sent Vika's funeral announcement. Both boys traveled to Hungary for the Mass. These are three of the most wonderful people I have met on the Road, a holy trinity.
What a true Pilgrimage. Thank you for sharing!super reminder.
We have hosted such quiet miracles at our house. I remember Vika, from Hungary, a 50-something woman with a terminal tumor condition. Her camino was her last wish. She went very slowly and had to do daily injections... which got her reported to a hospitalero who assumed she was shooting up illegal drugs. He threw her out.
Two athletic German boys knew her story, stood up for her, and were thrown out too! All three slept on the church porch that night.
The two "boys" (they were 19 and 20) spent the rest of their "sport camino" slowly accompanying Vika down the camino, ensuring she got a bed, a meal, and a kind word. They sent a post card from Santiago when they arrived. Their sporty holiday was transformed into a mission of mercy.
Five months later one of the boys sent Vika's funeral announcement. Both boys traveled to Hungary for the Mass. These are three of the most wonderful people I have met on the Road, a holy trinity.
Thank you for that great message Kevin. I think we all have our camino inspirationiers (as I have taken to calling them) and I also think of mine daily and while I wonder where they are now, in some ways not seeing them since helps those memories to remain undiluted.I read a recent post by a fellow pilgrim who was struggling emotionally and physically on The Camino which consequently made me think of 4 special Camino buddies who I think of whenever I am finding the going difficult:
View attachment 43139
Dani, a 74 year old French woman that could not weigh more than 70 lbs(31 kilos). On a foggy, gray misty morning out of Barbadelo I approached her from behind thinking she was a child and wondering why she was alone. Dani had lost her husband 2 years earlier and was walking for him. Here I am spontaneously picking her up and hugging her after she informed me she was walking solo and had started where I had, Le Puy en Velay, about 1400 kilometers back in France.
View attachment 43137
Alain and Alice of Paris. Alain was a powerful man, a martial arts instructor who had been diagnosed with MS 6 years before and had required a wheelchair the previous two. He was walking The Camino to give his 2 year old something special to remember him by as he faced a rapid decline in health. And his companion Alice who did not know Alain before this but had helped him to raise funds for a special wheelchair, set up and maintained a blog for the trip and gave him 6 months of her life. I also found that while others focused so much on Alain, Alice was overlooked and yet she carried on selflessly.
View attachment 43138
Last was Lynne Essex, a 58 year old Aussie woman whose path crossed mine in Muxia at the edge of the world. She had just completed a 780 kilometer (500mile) pilgrimage on Camino Francis while I had completed a 1000K walk from Seville on Camino Via de la Plata. I was whining to her about a blister the size of a tennis ball on the bottom of my foot. She told me that she had Stage 4 Cervical Cancer. I spent some time with her that day and she was obviously in pain. She mentioned that she could ‘only’ go about 15K per day on her Camino. I asked her what her doctor said about her going? She said, “He and others told me I was crazy”. She said this with a big happy grin and indicated the pain was getting worse but she was so glad to have been able to finish. A few weeks later I got a message from Lynne that the increasing pain was not the cancer, which was in remission, but a broken pelvis which she most likely had since before starting her Camino.
View attachment 43136
When I am struggling in any way on my current 3000K Camino, I simply think of these 4 and their beautiful spirits and my aching, heavy feet and legs lighten and the next few miles are not nearly as difficult. Thank you to my four friends. Ultreia!
A note of recognition and Ultreia to those people that struggle with various illnesses that take them to the depths of despair that require medication to bring them out of it. Especially deceased relatives Bridget Enright Scanlan and Chris Conrad. And a thank you to Boudewijn van der Ark for helping me and others to better understand the incredibly difficult ongoing battle faced by people with illnesses that cause severe depression.
What a beautiful and inspiring post @bhavagrahidasa .The Camino was the best thing I have ever done.
Gosh BryceThank you so much @VNwalking
It is really kind of you and encouraging to me because for years I didn't try to work with it and was trapped by my own insecurities and limitations. Walking the Camino was life-changing for me in so many ways. I went from being someone who at times couldn't get to a shop to buy milk because of anxiety and spent time in hospitals, often months at a time. People were horrified when i said I was going to walk across Spain alone. I was diabetic, 135 kilos so morbidly obese, I have schizophrenia and depression, high blood pressure and was self-harming, so many reasons others used to say i would fail. And then I met beautiful pilgrims and people along the Camino who told me I was funny and generous and interesting and that i could succeed and my life changed forever. I came back believing in myself. Haven't self-harm since my first Camino in 2013 and got back to work as a teaching assistant for children with learning difficulties. Lost weight and I like myself. The Camino really was life-changing. And I started being open about my illness because of it. I really want others who think they might not be able to walk the camino to realise that with help and support, they just might be able to after all. And so when people like yourself take the time to write, I am glad I now share with others.
All the best,
Bryce
Hey, John! We don't worry about "new" or "old" members. You're simply one of us - peregrinos of the camino! Feel free to message me any time, with any concerns. I used to live in the West of England .... now over in East Anglia. Blessings, my friend, and ultreia!I feel blessed to be (albeit a new) member of this Camino family
Why wait 13 months? Come now if you can.I sincerely hope you’re right about the effects of the Camino. I have this past 12 months come close twice to taking mine, when I don’t have the guts to try, I take risks that might take control of my destiny for me.
I have recently found The Way and this forum, my plan of my own pilgrimage in 2019 has given light and something to aim for, for the next 13 months at least.
Why wait 13 months? Come now if you can.
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