"I have always had a positive attitude and an adventurous nature and next year I am taking on a major challenge for charity, to complete the 500 mile trek along the Camino De Santiago in my wheelchair"
My name is Paul Smart, I am 60 years old. In September 2000 I suffered devastating injuries after a fall which left me paralysed from the neck down. In a split second my life had changed forever, I went from being a fit independent man to being confined to a wheelchair with no use of my arms or legs and relying on others 24 hours a day for my every need. I spent fourteen months in the Duke Of Cornwall Spinal Unit in Salisbury, where I learned to rebuild my life and adapt to face the challenges ahead.
|
THE CHALLENGE
I have always had a positive attitude and an adventurous nature and next year I am taking on a major challenge for charity, to complete the 500 mile trek along the Camino De Santiago in my wheelchair. The Camino de Santiago is a large network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and coming together at the tomb of St James in Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain.
I know this will be incredibly challenging, we will be travelling a great distance over some extremely difficult terrain, dealing with the physical hardship, the complexity of my day to day care and any medical issues that may arise. I will have a wonderful team of family and friends and carers pushing / walking with me and I feel very positive and passionate about completing this special and very personal journey.
"Even if your body doesn't work, the heart and spirit are not diminished."
The route Paul and his team are taking is the Camino Frances which stretches 780 kilometres (500 miles) from St Jean-Pied-Du-Port in France over the Pyrenees to Santiago. They hope to complete it in 5-6 weeks.
The route Paul and his team are taking is the Camino Frances which stretches 780 kilometres (500 miles) from St Jean-Pied-Du-Port in France over the Pyrenees to Santiago. They hope to complete it in 5-6 weeks.
Join usPaul and his team are setting out at the beginning of May 2018, the route they are taking is the Camino Frances which stretches 780 kilometres (500 miles) from St Jean-Pied-Du-Port in France over the Pyrenees to Santiago. They hope to complete it in 5-6 weeks.
If you are adventurous and are interested In joining us for all or part of this event, please email [email protected] or visit our Get involved page |