Help get me to my Camino Reunion?
Donation protected
Hello! My name is Jimmy, and I'm hoping to raise enough money to enable me to attend a reunion with my Camino family.
This is going to be a long drawn out read, if you don't get bored before the end that is... But I figured if I'm asking people for money I need to be completely open and start from the beginning, and finish by explaining why I want the money and why I can't afford it myself. So here goes!
When I was 17 years old I was attacked by four men. After I was knocked unconscious, the men continued to kick and stamp on me. This left me with head and facial injuries. Those wounds healed over time, however the mental scars remain. I have struggled for the last 15 years with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with associated Agoraphobia, Social Anxiety Disorder, and periods of depression.
I suffered in silence for 12 years, however, three years ago decided that I could no longer manage alone. I also decided that I would try to do something about it myself - I was going to step WAY out of my comfort zone! I was going to walk 'El Camino de Santiago'....
I contacted my cousin who had walked the Camino himself, and confided in him about my problems. I told him that I wanted to walk across Spain, on a journey of self-discovery, and in the hope that I may somehow 'cure' myself by forcing myself to be out in the big wide world. There would be nowhere to hide, nowhere to run to... I would have to talk to strangers - I would have to be outside; in short, I would have to face my fears. Matt kindly agreed to accompany me to France and to begin the Camino with me… It was both the most challenging, and the most fantastic experience of my life! The things I saw, the experiences I had, the people I met…. I learned so much! At the end of the Camino I kept in touch with the people I walked most of the time with; my ‘Camino family’ – and we all promised that we would see each other again.
That was three years ago, and the time is fast approaching for the planned reunion in Spain this summer. I have waited so long to be with these very special people once again. The people who understood me, accepted me without judging. Each of them helped me, perhaps without knowing it. I miss each of them so much and have been so excited about us all being together again. However as the date gets nearer the realisation that I am not going to afford to go is becoming more real. I would not usually ask for money – especially for what many would regard as simply a “holiday”. But this means so much to me and so here I am writing this plea…
Not long after returning from the Camino, my PTSD symptoms worsened, and on top of this I was diagnosed with Cancer. I underwent surgery to repair two hernias, followed by surgery to remove the cancer. I then had the joy(!) of receiving Chemotherapy and am, thankfully, currently in the clear. The surgery though has left me with severe pain due to irreversible nerve damage. I have also just found out that I have two herniated discs in my back which are adding to my difficulties and as a result of these problems I am currently unable to work and therefore am not earning.
The timing of this is poor to say the least. I would like nothing more than to be in good health and able to earn a decent living, but at the moment that is not possible. The reunion is to go ahead, with or without me, as everybody has booked their time off work and booked the flights. I would really like to be there.
The flights are going up each time I check, but are currently at £250 including baggage. If I could raise this I would be so so happy and would be grateful for every donation that may help me to reach the target. If I’m honest, I’m not expecting this to be very successful, but I have to try something as I have no other options open to me at the moment and it really does mean so much to me. If, by some miracle, it is successful, and if I even manage to get more than the value of the flights, I would be eternally grateful and any extra would be used for expenses while I’m there… Here’s hoping! x
Visit my camino blog.
This is going to be a long drawn out read, if you don't get bored before the end that is... But I figured if I'm asking people for money I need to be completely open and start from the beginning, and finish by explaining why I want the money and why I can't afford it myself. So here goes!
When I was 17 years old I was attacked by four men. After I was knocked unconscious, the men continued to kick and stamp on me. This left me with head and facial injuries. Those wounds healed over time, however the mental scars remain. I have struggled for the last 15 years with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with associated Agoraphobia, Social Anxiety Disorder, and periods of depression.
I suffered in silence for 12 years, however, three years ago decided that I could no longer manage alone. I also decided that I would try to do something about it myself - I was going to step WAY out of my comfort zone! I was going to walk 'El Camino de Santiago'....
I contacted my cousin who had walked the Camino himself, and confided in him about my problems. I told him that I wanted to walk across Spain, on a journey of self-discovery, and in the hope that I may somehow 'cure' myself by forcing myself to be out in the big wide world. There would be nowhere to hide, nowhere to run to... I would have to talk to strangers - I would have to be outside; in short, I would have to face my fears. Matt kindly agreed to accompany me to France and to begin the Camino with me… It was both the most challenging, and the most fantastic experience of my life! The things I saw, the experiences I had, the people I met…. I learned so much! At the end of the Camino I kept in touch with the people I walked most of the time with; my ‘Camino family’ – and we all promised that we would see each other again.
That was three years ago, and the time is fast approaching for the planned reunion in Spain this summer. I have waited so long to be with these very special people once again. The people who understood me, accepted me without judging. Each of them helped me, perhaps without knowing it. I miss each of them so much and have been so excited about us all being together again. However as the date gets nearer the realisation that I am not going to afford to go is becoming more real. I would not usually ask for money – especially for what many would regard as simply a “holiday”. But this means so much to me and so here I am writing this plea…
Not long after returning from the Camino, my PTSD symptoms worsened, and on top of this I was diagnosed with Cancer. I underwent surgery to repair two hernias, followed by surgery to remove the cancer. I then had the joy(!) of receiving Chemotherapy and am, thankfully, currently in the clear. The surgery though has left me with severe pain due to irreversible nerve damage. I have also just found out that I have two herniated discs in my back which are adding to my difficulties and as a result of these problems I am currently unable to work and therefore am not earning.
The timing of this is poor to say the least. I would like nothing more than to be in good health and able to earn a decent living, but at the moment that is not possible. The reunion is to go ahead, with or without me, as everybody has booked their time off work and booked the flights. I would really like to be there.
The flights are going up each time I check, but are currently at £250 including baggage. If I could raise this I would be so so happy and would be grateful for every donation that may help me to reach the target. If I’m honest, I’m not expecting this to be very successful, but I have to try something as I have no other options open to me at the moment and it really does mean so much to me. If, by some miracle, it is successful, and if I even manage to get more than the value of the flights, I would be eternally grateful and any extra would be used for expenses while I’m there… Here’s hoping! x
Visit my camino blog.
Organizer
Jimmy Robbins
Organizer
