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Wife can not walk the WAY, what are the options?

B

BEACHCOMBER

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
PLAN FOR 2017
my wife had a accident several years ago and walks with a knee brace and cane in the house. we use a electric scooter when out and about.
if she tries to walk any distance, she suffers from screaming painful leg cramps.
the scooter can not be used in rain or mud.
I can not push her in a wheel chair.
does anyone have an idea?
does anyone know if she uses a taxi from alberque to alberque, and waits there for me.
can she get a Pilgrims passport? or even stay in a alberque?

beachcomber
 
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She certainly can get a pilgrims passport and her chances to stay in an albergue are better off season (not in July/August!)
Has she tried to use a light-weight wheelchair herself, without you helping her?
Have you looked into a supported tour?
What time of the year are you looking at?
Buen Camino, you know I am there to help, SY
 

We are planning for the middle of April, 2017
a supported tour? I will look into that.
thanks so much.
beachcomber.
 
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Hello,

Apart from taxis and buses, the "Joëlette" wheelchair is a proven solution :
http://www.chemindecompostelle.com/PelerinsParticuliers/Joelette.html
http://www.ferriol-matrat.com/fr/sport-loisir-adapte/randonnee/la-joelette-fauteuil-tout-terrain

But it needs a team of two/four people i.e. an organized group/association. "Compostelle 2000" has organized a supported camino from 2011, in 2015 from Carrion to Riego de Ambros. They plan a last leg to Santiago in 2016.
http://www.compostelle2000.org/index.php/Le-pelerinage-d-ete/le-pelerinage-d-ete-2015.html
http://www.compostelle2000.org/index.php/Le-pelerinage-d-ete/le-pelerinage-d-ete.html

I have no connection with them but I am sure they would be happy to help you somehow in your project.
 
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If you are looking for a supported tour, you might contact Marly Camino. I used them on a Camino from Sarria to Santiago (they have others) with my wife and four friends (mostly ladies) last April. They use a small bus to support the walkers. They meet the walkers with the bus 3 or 4 times during each day (usually at a cafe) to ensure that everyone is doing okay. Your wife could just stay on the bus and then would be able to be a part of the Camino experience during the day, especially the best part, sitting around at a cafe drinking cafe-con-leche with everyone. It would certainly beat sitting around at the albergue waiting.

Their guides and bus drivers are FANTASTIC. If you decide to do this, you might ask to be on a tour with Victor as the driver. He is a wonderful, wonderful, human being.

Good luck in whatever you do. I truly admire you and your efforts to include your wife in your camino plans. My wife is not a "hiker" by any stretch of the imagination, but that camino experience has really meant a lot to her.

I am not in any way associated with Marly Camino nor receive any benefit from recommending them. I just know that they might have what you are looking for.

Buen Camino, Beachcomber.

http://marlycamino.com/
 
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The supported tour sounds like a fantastic idea. I saw a number of groups using these small buses and they
seemed to be really enjoying themselves. A great way to be able to share the Camino
 
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Isn't it good news that such supported groups exist as mentioned above. I recently went SJPdP to Santiago (my 2nd) to support my husband who was walking and cycling with a group. He has Younger Onset Dementia and we were raising awareness about the fact that young people (as young as 30's and 40's) can also be diagnosed with it. When they were cycling from Pamplona to Sarria there was no way that I could walk those days and stay close. I often caught taxis, part of the way between towns through this section, often because the bus only ran twice a week. As a general rule, cost was between 75 cents to €1 per kilometre. All drivers helpful and easy process to do. This might help you compare the cost with the above named companies eg marlycamino etc. I wish you both the best. Go for it. As mentioned, you're wife is eligible for a pilgrim's passport but unless she walks the last 100 kms, not eligible for a Compestela in Santiago. Buen Camino to you both.
 
GlenysP said:
As mentioned, you're wife is eligible for a pilgrim's passport but unless she walks the last 100 kms, not eligible for a Compestela in Santiago. Buen Camino to you both.
Click to expand...

Hey, I won't tell (that she didn't walk) if you don't.
 
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Read James Michener's book Iberia. He calls the Camino one of three the three best trips in the world----and drives it. He meets with scholars at many stops, studies the culture and lore, and develops a deeper appreciation for the history, tradition and meaning of the trip than many who focus on just the physical act of walking.
 
GlenysP said:
... but unless she walks the last 100 kms, not eligible for a Compestela in Santiago. Buen Camino to you both.
Click to expand...

Actually that is not true, the pilgrim office gives Compostelas also to wheelchair users, but @JohnnieWalker will be the best person to ask what the exact conditions are. Buen Camino, SY
 
SYates said:
Actually that is not true, the pilgrim office gives Compostelas also to wheelchair users, but @JohnnieWalker will be the best person to ask what the exact conditions are. Buen Camino, SY
Click to expand...
Thank you. I obviously didn't know that. I'm glad there is something.
 
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