Pilgrimage for Parkinson's: Walking the Via Podiensis

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Given by 54 generous donors in around 4 months

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Walking 750km across France on the Via Podiensis May-June 2022, fundraising for Parkinson's New Zealand.

Wellington

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I am setting out in May 2022 on a pilgrimage for Parkinson’s. With a friend, I plan to walk the 750km Via Podiensis, a route that will take us across France, starting in Le Puy and finishing in Saint Jean Pied de Port, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, by the end of June.

A writer, author, communications professional, foodie, Francophile and mum to three boys, I divide my time between New Zealand and France. I also live with early-onset Parkinson’s.

I hike regularly in New Zealand and France. When I walk, anything seems possible. I have long felt a calling to walk the Camino, but it was only when I was diagnosed with the condition in 2019 that I realised why the path was calling.

When my neurologist said that exercise was about the one thing everyone agreed could help ward off the progression of Parkinson’s, I thought that was a sign that it was time to hit the trail. Putting one foot in front of another every day is a simple, positive action I can take to keep moving forward. It’s a ‘no-brainer’!

I'm grateful to Parkinson's New Zealand for their support and your donations will go to support research to help me and others like me to ward off the progression and live long, healthy lives.

Follow our progress at https://www.parkinsons.org.nz/ and as posts are shared on their Facebook page.

Read more about our French adventures at https://myparallellives.com - mention the word ‘pilgrimage’ when you buy a copy of my book, and $10 from the sale will go to Parkinson’s New Zealand.

Crossing the Pyrenees 4 July 2022

Day 39: Saint Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles 24km. Total 800km. (Give or take as signposts and distances have been a bit variable).

Surprise - we went over the top! Because we arrived in St Jean slightly ahead of schedule and with the weather forecast to be good, we decided to do the crossing of the pass through the Pyrenees. A magical day, full of Camino moments including the astounding beauty of nature, unexpected reconnections with pilgrim friends we thought we’d lost, and meeting Yulia from Ukraine, a refugee now in Italy, walking to Santiago with the sum total of her worldly goods in her backpack.

Definitely good to do this stretch at the end of the chemin, with muscles warmed up, as we barely noticed the 1,000m climb. Okay it was a steady climb, but mostly on small back road and well-formed path, and not at all difficult technically.

Started out at 7am and arrived in Roncesvalles at 3pm in perfect time for the 3.30pm bus back to St Jean - though we had to keep moving at a reasonable pace. So grateful to have made it to the end of this long walk, in good health and without injury - though I can’t say the same for the shoes, which have gone ceremonially in the bin.

Thanks to all those who have donated to the cause. The walking has done me the world of good and your contributions will help Parkinson’s NZ continue to help me and others like me to help ourselves to live long and healthy lives.

Ultreia - ever onwards.

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