Walking Te Araroa for Crohn's and Colitis
Fundraising for Crohn's and Colitis New Zealand Charitable Trust
Wellington
I am one of a steadily growing number of Kiwis suffering from Crohn’s disease, an incurable and debilitating condition which causes severe pain, malnutrition, and fatigue. There is no cure for Crohn’s, and what treatments are available are no guarantee of relief. I have heard stories of patients paying fortunes for unsubsidised medicines, of lives thrown into chaos because their suffering isn’t taken seriously. I, like many others, had no choice other than surgery to avoid life-threatening complications.
Before surgery even attempting the TA was unthinkable. Two months on and several practice hikes later, I will begin the journey from Ship Cove to Bluff - top to bottom - on December 27. All proceeds are for Crohn’s and Colitis NZ, whose tireless advocacy has given us two further treatments in the fight against this awful disease. I've set the target at $1,400: a dollar for every kilometer walked.
I dedicate this walk to my fellow Crohnies, and the doctors and nurses without whom this would have remained a dream. I give special thanks to my family and friends for their love and support, and a shout-out to my brother for inspiring me to follow in his footsteps.
IG: sheen_got_away
Latest update
And we're back! 1 February 2023
It's been real Wellington.
After nearly two weeks' recovery I'm picking back up in Arthur's Pass for the next leg of the Te Araroa.
It's fairly safe to say things didn't quite go according to plan. Even now I'm shell-shocked over the Richmonds, and my knees still haven't forgiven me. With all this in mind I'm making some changes to keep the podiatrist away:
- No more 12 hour days. Fairly self-explanatory, and much easier to manage now my infusion's done.
- More rest stops.
I'm also adjusting the itinerary:
- Skip Mingha-Deception Pass: I'd originally planned to begin things here but will instead overnight in Bealey due to poor weather.
- Lastly, I'm aiming to finish up in Queenstown rather than Bluff. I hate to pass up Greenstone and the Routeburn, especially this time of year, but I simply don't have enough time before uni resumes in late February. I will return for the final third as soon as I can.
All up this section will take just under 3 weeks. The track winds through central Canterbury, past Lakes Coleridge, Takapo, and Ohau before crossing the Ahuriri River and into Wanaka. From there it's a steep four-day trek over the Cardronas into Arrowtown and a short stroll into Queenstown.
Thank you all again for donating to the cause. Spread the word, keep the funds flowing, and I'll keep on walking.
Follow my TA Instagram for updates as I go along: @sheen_got_away
Latest donations
On behalf of Sean McElwain-Wilson and CCNZ we would like to thank you so much for your kind donation, Nana. This donation will contribute towards our many projects we have in the pipeline for 2023, including the I Can't wait Campaign, the Living with IBD seminar and workshop and Camp Purple Live 2023. Thank you again for your donation and for choosing to support us. This will really make a difference!
On behalf of Sean McElwain-Wilson and CCNZ we would like to thank you so much for your kind donation, Linda. This donation will contribute towards our many projects we have in the pipeline for 2023, including the I Can't wait Campaign, the Living with IBD seminar and workshop and Camp Purple Live 2023. Thank you again for your donation and for choosing to support us. This will really make a difference!
On behalf of Sean McElwain-Wilson and CCNZ we would like to thank you so much for your kind donation, Amelia. This donation will contribute towards our many projects we have in the pipeline for 2023, including the I Can't wait Campaign, the Living with IBD seminar and workshop and Camp Purple Live 2023. Thank you again for your donation and for choosing to support us. This will really make a difference!
On behalf of Sean McElwain-Wilson and CCNZ we would like to thank you so much for your kind donation, Denise. This donation will contribute towards our many projects we have in the pipeline for 2023, including the I Can't wait Campaign, the Living with IBD seminar and workshop and Camp Purple Live 2023. Thank you again for your donation and for choosing to support us. This will really make a difference!
On behalf of Sean McElwain-Wilson and CCNZ we would like to thank you so much for your kind donation, Sarah. This donation will contribute towards our many projects we have in the pipeline for 2023, including the I Can't wait Campaign, the Living with IBD seminar and workshop and Camp Purple Live 2023. Thank you again for your donation and for choosing to support us. This will really make a difference!
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