Camino, Gratitude, Uncategorized

Our Camino 2023: A Change of Plans

Retirement Reflections

Regular followers of this blog know that on September 3 Richard and I flew into Lisbon to embark on the Camino to Fatima, and hopefully beyond.

Sadly, 28 hours after our arrival, a tumble over an unseen piece of construction caused this to happen: 2 broken bones plus stitches. We hadn’t begun hiking yet. Medical advice was to return home within a week and a half to assess if surgery is required.

After taking four days to rest, make new plans  and leisurely explore Lisbon (okay, and to eat lots of Portuguese food) Richard felt up to condensing our walk into Fatima and combining it with the Superwalk that we had planned to do in support of Parkinson’s Disease.

Parkinson Canada Superwalk

Richard’s brothers, Bob, is afflicted with Parkinson’s Disease but has never once lost his positive attitude or his faith. On Day 2 of our Camino (September 9) we planned to join thousands of Canadians as they walked to raise money and awareness of Parkinson’s Disease.

Making this plan a (revised) reality, early this morning we took a bus to Fatima, immediately took a taxi back 9 km to Giesteira and began our walk on the official Camino trail back into Fatima.

Total Distance Walked: 18 km (9 to Fatima and 9 within Fatima).
Time Spent Actively Walking: 5 hours.
Weather Conditions: Major downpour the moment we begun, but bright and sunny shortly afterward

Heartfelt thanks to all who have been supporting us through this time. Your messages of concern and encouragement have meant a great deal. We are also incredibly grateful to all who have generously donated to Parkinson Canada in support of this walk. If you would still like to contribute, you can do so here: http://events.parkinson.bc.ca/site/TR/Events/SuperWalk23?px=1125390&pg=personal&fr_id=1567

Richard and I fly back to Vancouver tomorrow morning. Our lesson learned from this Camino? You cannot always control wildcards that come your way, but hopefully you can choose how you respond.

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Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

108 thoughts on “Our Camino 2023: A Change of Plans”

  1. Oh dear. I guess when it comes to travel these days we have to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. At least you got to do the walk for Parkinson’s. (and sample some Portuguese food). Have a safe trip home. xo

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  2. I’m so sorry to hear this. Gosh, darn it. Hope you got good care, but the right call to come back and get it assessed here in Canada. Kudos to him to do 18 kms. with a broken arm. Safe trip home.

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  3. Attitude is everything and yours is brilliant! Happy to hear your spirits are strong and that you were able to salvage some enjoyment from your trip and I hope the healing progresses well! Courage, Dear Hearts!

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    1. Hi, Bernadette – Our Portuguese doctor made it clear that we should not fly home within the first few days of a broken limb, but also that we should fly back early (within 5 – 8 days of the break). With Richard determined to salvage some of our trip, we were pleased with what we were able to accomplish — a mini Camino folded into a short space of time. Rich now has a hard cast and is resting the best that he can.

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  6. Well, darn! I feel for Richard, but that smile assures us that he’ll be fine. Your response to this turn of events is heartwarming , and I’m certain that Bob was with y’all in spirit. Safe travels home and please keep us updated on Richard’s progress. Joe

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    1. Thanks, Joe and Helen – We are incredibly grateful that Richard received good medical care in Portugal and continues to receive excellent care here. He continues to have much pain so is learning to keep his dominant arm as still as possible. Baby steps!

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    1. Thanks Robbie – In a short span of time, and with Richard’s grit and determination, we were able to experience a condensed version of what we had set out to do. The walk for Parksinson’s was very important to us. So far we have raised $935.00 toward this cause which we are thrilled with.

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    1. Thanks, Anabel – It is amazing to me how many people have shared that they too have broken bones while travelling. I never realized that this is as common as it seems to be. I am also surprised that many of these people continued to travel with their broken limb. We definitely were not given that option. 😦

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      2. Hi, Anabel – As uncomfortable as I am sure that was, we would have loved that option. Unfortunately, as one of Richard’s bones was displaced the Portuguese doctor thought that surgery might be required and both he, and the insurance company definitely wanted us to do that back home! 😦

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  11. Oh gosh – how disappointing for you both and poor Richard. That must have been so painful 😖 I hope he has a speedy recovery. You two have an amazing mindset to make new plans and find a way to complete/salvage something from your original plans. Congratulations to you both on your charity walk. Safe travels back

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  12. Sending Richard healing wishes, for a speedy recovery so you both can get back on the trail! This is so good – “You cannot always control wildcards that come your way, but hopefully you can choose how you respond.”

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  13. Hi Donna, I’m sorry to hear about Richard’s injury. Your positive attitude and response to the change of plans are admirable. Congrats on your charity walk! Wishing you both safe travels home and to Richard a speedy recovery. Please keep us posted.

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  14. Now Richard has the perfect excuse for his wayward golf shots! We are amazed by your youthful travels, enthusiasm, and enjoyment of life. Even when not so good things happen, you maintain a positive, uncomplaining attitude. Unfortunately, huge numbers of people, especially in North America, find countless things to complain about. We who live here, and still have our health, have absolutely NOTHING to complain about. The next time you feel down, think of Bob’s declining health, and those less fortunate. Richard, your bones will heal and your golf swing will indeed improve!

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  15. Oh Donna, I’m sorry to hear this. I was looking for your post on IG this morning. I’ll keep Richard in my prayers for a speedy recovery. Your lesson learned is so valuable. It’s not our circumstances that create stress, it’s how we respond. Stay safe! xo

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  16. Hi Donna and Richard – so sorry to read this … and your Camino walk didn’t go as planned – but I’m glad the arm isn’t as serious as it could have been. Good luck on your return to VI – I hope the docs give you a good prognosis.

    Sounds like you’ve made the right decision re letting things sort themselves out, get some walking in, see a few sights and enjoy some Portuguese food … now take care on your return. With thoughts – Hilary

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    1. Hi, Hilary – Thank you for your kind words. We are grateful for the excellent medical care Richard has been getting. The evening that we flew back home, doctors in Vancover took new x-rays and fitted Richard’s arm with a hard cast. They then made a new appointment with him to reassess his arm five days from now. We have zero complaints about our medical system.

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  18. Hi Donna! Good for you both for making lemonade out of lemons! I completely agree that we can’t always control what happens but we can always control how we respond. Thank you for sharing such a positive and uplifting message with us all! Have a smooth and easy trip home and once Richard gets healed get out the calendar for when you can do it again! ~Kathy

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    1. Hi, Kathy – Things often have a way of working out. Last January, we had agreed to an Australian Home Exchange family staying in our home for some of the days that we would be away in Portugal. As this is a major world trip for them we did not want to cancel or to try to switch them to a different place. So, for a few days, we have a place on the beach in Parksville for ourselves. Hopefully, this mini staycation will provide a positive change of scenery!

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  19. Hi Donna – I think your ultimate lesson is the perfect takeaway from it all. We really can’t control life (even though some of us would like to think we can!) but we can definitely choose our response. I love that you still did the Walk for Parkinsons despite Richard’s injuries – it shows the integrity you both have.
    I hope your flight back goes well and Richard heals quickly and without too much pain in the process.
    Life is definitely still full of surprises! xxx

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    1. Absolutely! And this experience gave us great stories to tell our grandchildren. Actually, we’ve just seen our 8-year old grandson and he was fascinated by some of our photos. He could not believe that we CHOOSE to walk in the pouring rain! 😀

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  20. Hi Donna, I’m so pleased that despite Richard’s unfortunate accident you both completed the Walk for Parkinsons for his brother. Safe travels home and sending best wishes for a speedy recovery to Richard and an extra hug to you. We never know what is ahead of us, do we? Take care xx

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    1. Hi, Sue – We never do know what ahead. We simply need to hope for the best and be prepared for the not-so-good. Thank you so much for your generous contribution to the Parkinson Foundation. It means a great deal to both of us.

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  21. When you get rain, you jump in the puddles. Mom taught us that very early in life. Lucy Grandma said to turn every challenge into a work of art. This is what you two did in spades…… Ran into Ben Stewart at the Parkinson’s walk this am. He sends you his best wishes. He also said he’d give me support with my Firesmart goals……..Cheering you on from little corner of the world………Love, Sharon

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  22. Good gracious Donna. Yes the best laid plans of mice and men …. All best wishes for healing. I must have missed a blog or 2 re you’re walking the Camino. Well done on walking 18 km. Safe travels home. I begin a month long european trip with my older son Mike on Wednesday. So aware of the possibility of tripping over a blade of grass –

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  24. Always inspiring following your adventures. Safe return home and hopefully things will heal well Richard! You’ll be back before you know it!

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    1. Thanks, Suzanne – There may have been a few tears shed not only of pain but of incredible disappointment and frustration. Then, I lied awake one evening trying to plan how we could still hit some of the key experiences that we had planned, fitting them inside the timeframe we had, and ensuring that they would in no way further damage Richard’s right arm. Leisurely tours of Lisbon. √ Eating great Portuguese food. √ Superwalk for Parkinson’s on September 9. √ Walk into Fatima √ Portuguese barber for Richard. √ Oh, and lots of great coffee. √√ 😀

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  26. Here is proof once again that the only thing in life we have complete control over is our attitude to what life throughs at us! Like everyone else, I was heartbroken on your behalf as to what happened so early on in your trip, to siderail a plan months in the making. Safe travels back to “Paradise Island”, speedy healing for Richard, and I look forward to seeing you both in person soon….love, Deb

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    1. Hi, Marty – Thank you for your kind words. Richard and I are now home safe and sound. We are grateful for all of the help and kindness that we received along the way. The staff at Air Transat were also incredibly helpful which made a much smoother journey for our flight back home.

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  28. Oh Donna, I am so sorry to hear that your plans got derailed and that Richard was injured. That must have been so disappointing and scary. I am glad to hear that you seem to be rallying and taking things in stride and that you were able to complete the Parkinson’s portion of your planned walk. I hope you have made it home safely and wish Richard a quick and complete recovery!

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    1. Hi, Christie – Thank you for sttopping by and for your kind words. We are now home safe and sound. Richard is bravely managing his pain and learning, step by step, to do things with his non-dominant hand. Surprisingly, teeth brushing with his left-hand has been quite the difficult task.. Time for an electric toothbrush! 😀

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  34. What an attitude, and what satisfaction follows on! I imagine a hefty dose of physical pain was involved, but once again your blog title kind of sums it up. And hey, what a story: it will be told around the campfire for years to come.

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  38. I’m so glad you managed to do some walking and hope that Richard is faring well with his surgery and recovery. Your acceptance of this setback shows your true spirit. My father was also a Parkinson’s sufferer so I feel for you and admire your efforts in raising funds for this worthwhile cause. Take care Donna x

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  40. I can relate to your story in several ways…the first being that I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s a year ago and know how important fund raisers help in funding research. Second, I once broke my foot on the second day of a trip to Italy with friends, but decided to continue our trip. Hopefully you will have a chance to return for an uneventful (health wise) trip.

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    1. Hi, Karen – Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Richard and I ended up raising $1000 Cdn for Parkinson’s. So, depite the hurdles, we were very pleased that we were able to do this. Unfortunately, due to the need for surgery, we were not given the option of continuing our trip We will definitely be back! ❤

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  43. He is such a trooper for wanting to continue on– even if it was a much shortened hike than planned. But at least you still got to raise money and hopefully some awareness too.

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    1. Hi, Joanne – Richard is definitely hard core. If he had not been ordered to go home both by the Portuguese doctors, and by our insurance company, I am sure that he would have tried to stay in Portugal as planned. We are both super pleased that we were still able to walk into Fatima (albeit much shorter than planned). And we raised $1000 Cdn for Parkinson’s research which we were very happy that we could do.

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  45. Hi Donna, as I am working on your mini interview, it has allowed me to learn more about you, and Richard, and I am so inspired by the many Camino walks. It looks like this 2023 walk had a major change of plans, but glad you were still able to walk some and raise that much money for Parkinson’s.

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  47. Most of the people I know who’ve undertaken a camino have done so for a cause, Donna, and yours is a good one. I especially admire your husband for walking with a broken arm. A couple of our walking friends have walked the camino to Santiago 4 times when they were younger and fitter. Phil has had Parkinsons for the past 10 years plus, and he hasn’t let it stop him from enjoying his hobbies of photography (especially birds) and being in nature. Advances in medicine have made the journey easier for him and I’m sure that efforts like yours have helped xx

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    1. Hi, Jo – Thank you so much for commenting here. That Camino (our 6th) is the only one that we walked for a specific cause. My husband and I love being on the Camino and hope to sneak another one (or more) in!
      I’m delighted to hear that Phil has not let Parkinson’s stop him from enjoying so many things that he loves. Richard’s brother, Bob, remains active as well. ❤

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