A MILLION STEPS FOR SCLERODERMA
My name is Jim Hines. I am a retired engineer and instructor. I am a supporter of my wife Roberta of 45 years who is living with Scleroderma.
She has endured the trials and tribulations of the disease throughout her life starting with Raynaud’s, to gastric, pulmonary, and other issues. She has had multiple surgeries from the developing disease, yet remains positive, optimistic and always ready to help others. Roberta and others who have Scleroderma inspire me. I have met many people in the Orange County support group she co-leads and at other Southern California Scleroderma Foundation events I have attended who are remarkable in dealing with their struggles.
When Roberta and I were on vacation in Spain and Portugal, we saw hikers who were on a Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. We found out that the pilgrimage is also known as The Way of St James, the apostle and patron saint of lost souls, and is a 1000 year's old UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.
“The Way” is understood as an inner journey, an experience that delves into oneself, in a search for balance and well-being. As I watched the pilgrims on their spiritual journey to Santiago de Compostela, they reminded me of the struggles that each Scleroderma patient goes through day by day and their journey in paving their “Way”. Therefore, I thought, as someone who is able, what better way to pay homage to those who have Scleroderma and those who have passed from this disease to take on the pilgrimage of Saint James. I am reminded that life is a day-by-day journey for the pilgrims as well as those who have Scleroderma.
There is not a single route but many, as symbolized by a seashell, to the city of Santiago de Compostela, recognized as the burial place of Saint James.
Last year I completed the French Way or Camino Francés. This year I plan to do the Camino – Portuguese which includes starting from Lisbon, stopping at Fatima, on the way to Porto then taking the Coastal and Variante Espiritual routes to Santiago. My journey will end in Fisterre, which translates as “the End of the World”, a short Camino from Santiago to the Atlantic coast of Galicia. The route is about 800 kilometers or nearly a Million Steps. The hope is to enjoy the Feast of Saint James on July 25, 2022, a pilgrimage holy year.
I plan to recognize, pray and collect donations for the Scleroderma Foundation of California to help Scleroderma – Camino de Santiago “The Way.”
I hope you will follow me on my journey and support the Foundation I plan to post my thoughts, photos and overall experience on my journey and every little bit will help.
As pilgrims begin their day, they address each other by chanting “Buen (Good) Camino (Way)” in anticipation of a rewarding day, each day.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT and so for now...“Buen Camino.”
MEET SARA DERMA MY OWL MASCOT
As part of the Camino Portuguese, Jim will be accompanied by Sara Derma.
Sara, a happy plush toy owl, is the color teal representative of Scleroderma. Note Scleroderma scarf (photos).
Sara was chosen since an owl historically has been a symbol of wisdom, knowledge, and contemplation for centuries and supposed to bring happiness, wealth, health, and love. Furthermore, it is an animal that represents the spirit world and carries messages from it to ours.
Throughout the Camino you will see photos of Sara making her Way through fields, forests, vineyards, villages, cities and historical sites.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
