My Camino Journey

Why are you walking the Camino?

It is a question that I keep getting asked.  Why? Because I am able to walk.  For those of you who don’t know me personally  I should provide a bit of history.  In February 2004 I was involved in an accident in which a pickup truck swerved into my lane from oncoming traffic and hit me going between 55 and 65mph.  I was riding a motorcycle which was propelled 74′ through the air before stopping.   Needless to say I sustained some very serious injuries.  The lower portion of my left leg was almost completely removed at the scene.  I also had a broken pelvis, broken femur, broken ribs, and a collapsed lung.  I spent the next three weeks in an ICU hovering between life and death.  Repeatedly I was told by doctors that my leg needed to be amputated.  The doctors kept telling me there was too much damage and even if the arterial grafts held and I did have blood flow in my foot that I was missing too much bone.  I was told I would never walk again without assistive devices. The doctors told me amputation was the best way to go and I would be “back on my feet faster”.  This is where humor is essential hearing words like that come out of their mouths.
  A few years in a wheelchair and lots of time using crutches and canes plus extensive physical therapy, and don’t forget 21 surgeries has gotten me to the point of walking unassisted.  I could have done none of this without the love and support of many family members and friends. 
So this walk which started as a small seed many years ago has taken on a new importance.  Now as I ready to start my travels I consider myself very blessed to even be able to attempt such a trip.