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Though the PCT is my journey, I never wanted it to be solely about me and my story. I want this undertaking to be about connection, building awareness, and rediscovery.
Speaking for myself, though I think most who have attempted the 4240 Km of the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail, a hiking trail that extends from the Mexican to the Canadian border) would agree, this is not a vacation... this is a process of redefinition of self, one step at a time. It’s my wish that people with disabilities and sufferers of chronic pain can find inspiration and motivation from my physical exhaustion.
Following a snowmobile crash, and a resulting Brachial Plexus injury on February 27, 2007 I lost many things, in addition to the loss of use of my right arm. Over the years the predominant manifestation of loss would be my inability to have a meaningful connection with my surroundings and loved ones.
I was caught in a pain spiral and completely despondent as a result of prescribed methadone. I was hopeless and I just about let my neuropathy consume me completely. All I could do was feel for the rocks at the bottom.
Then on November 8th 2017 my Aunty Brenda passed away from lung cancer. I loved her deeply. The most painful part about her death, for me, was her zeal for life. She wanted so badly to live and remain connected to her friends and family, while I was coasting along apathetically. I was a heavy smoker, overweight, and all I thought about was pain. The error of my mind set was truly sinking in. I finally wanted to rejoin my life.
On December 31, 2017 at 11:59 pm I took the last puff of my last cigarette. Over the following months of early 2018 I noticed a significant positive psychological change and a stirring desire to loose weight and get back into shape.
I started walking in the early spring, then in May I started hiking. While hiking, I noticed that my neuropathic pain spasms were less frequent and less intense. In fact, the pain spasms were far less severe than when I was watching Netflix on the couch, even though I was using a fully loaded backpack. What I needed next was a fitness goal to challenge, and keep myself focused. I’ve always wanted to hike the PCT, so it seemed as good a challenge as any, I thought.
It is my experience that chronic pain is shrouded in stigma and in some instances disbelief. I believe theses paradigms are created as a result of our society’s use of medication as a primary means to treat chronic pain. In all the time I was being treated by a “Pain Clinic” maybe 2% of that time was spent on teaching me to manage the psychological strains of chronic pain and 0% was spent on exploring alternative, non medication, forms of pain relief.
I want to share my story and my PCT undertaking in order to promote awareness for others who suffer from chronic neurological pain and people living with disabilities. Furthermore, I want to share the challenges I face and how I overcome them, in-spite of having the use of only one arm, and a pain condition. There can be greater forms of relief when you walk right through the things that hinder you the most.
Personally, hiking has become a way I can do just that. Subsequently, the PCT has given me the route, a beautiful place to hike, connection with a community, and an objective.
From the beginning it has been my intention to use my endeavour to bring attention to a foundation whose primary focus is on those who suffer from spinal chord injuries and help further their objectives by raising funds and awareness. The Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Centre(Northern Alberta) Society, SCITCS, based in Edmonton Alberta Canada, is just such an organization. President and co-founder Louies Miller, as well as, honorary chairman Craig Simpson ( A Former Edmonton Oiler) have made a huge contribution to the lives of many disabled individuals within Alberta. For more information on the amazing works done for disabled individuals visit SCITCS.org and SCITCS Facebook.
Why do I need your help? The answer is, the currency exchange is going to severely hamper my resources. I have already purchased my gear, plane ticket and have a basic budget for food. The PCT is extremely difficult and many fail. There are people called “Trail Angels” who spend their summers helping hikers precisely because it is so financially, physically, and mentally taxing. For example, there is a lovely couple who are picking me (Plus many other PCT Hikers) up from the airport, hosting us for two nights, and driving us to the trailhead at the southern terminus. I I would love all of my friends and family to be my Trail Angels. I will be hiking for six months in the desert and mountain wilderness so a few extra nights in a hotel, on recuperation (Zero) days, here and there, or replacing a piece of worn out gear, could make a world of difference in me having a successful outcome. Finally, this is a mental game as much as anything else; knowing I have the support of my community will boost my morale when I need it the most and keep my motivation at it’s peak.
What are my fundraising goals? My goal is to raise 3500.00$ Canadian. All additional funds will be donated to the SCITCS organization. In addition, I pledge to only access these funds in the event my monthly budget is exhausted so as to maximize the donation to SCITCS.
Throughout the participation of this undertaking, I hope to rediscover and redefine who I am as a human being and as a disabled man. I want to invoke and make lasting change in the lives of others and myself by Pushin Past the Pain on the PCT.
Speaking for myself, though I think most who have attempted the 4240 Km of the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail, a hiking trail that extends from the Mexican to the Canadian border) would agree, this is not a vacation... this is a process of redefinition of self, one step at a time. It’s my wish that people with disabilities and sufferers of chronic pain can find inspiration and motivation from my physical exhaustion.
Following a snowmobile crash, and a resulting Brachial Plexus injury on February 27, 2007 I lost many things, in addition to the loss of use of my right arm. Over the years the predominant manifestation of loss would be my inability to have a meaningful connection with my surroundings and loved ones.
I was caught in a pain spiral and completely despondent as a result of prescribed methadone. I was hopeless and I just about let my neuropathy consume me completely. All I could do was feel for the rocks at the bottom.
Then on November 8th 2017 my Aunty Brenda passed away from lung cancer. I loved her deeply. The most painful part about her death, for me, was her zeal for life. She wanted so badly to live and remain connected to her friends and family, while I was coasting along apathetically. I was a heavy smoker, overweight, and all I thought about was pain. The error of my mind set was truly sinking in. I finally wanted to rejoin my life.
On December 31, 2017 at 11:59 pm I took the last puff of my last cigarette. Over the following months of early 2018 I noticed a significant positive psychological change and a stirring desire to loose weight and get back into shape.
I started walking in the early spring, then in May I started hiking. While hiking, I noticed that my neuropathic pain spasms were less frequent and less intense. In fact, the pain spasms were far less severe than when I was watching Netflix on the couch, even though I was using a fully loaded backpack. What I needed next was a fitness goal to challenge, and keep myself focused. I’ve always wanted to hike the PCT, so it seemed as good a challenge as any, I thought.
It is my experience that chronic pain is shrouded in stigma and in some instances disbelief. I believe theses paradigms are created as a result of our society’s use of medication as a primary means to treat chronic pain. In all the time I was being treated by a “Pain Clinic” maybe 2% of that time was spent on teaching me to manage the psychological strains of chronic pain and 0% was spent on exploring alternative, non medication, forms of pain relief.
I want to share my story and my PCT undertaking in order to promote awareness for others who suffer from chronic neurological pain and people living with disabilities. Furthermore, I want to share the challenges I face and how I overcome them, in-spite of having the use of only one arm, and a pain condition. There can be greater forms of relief when you walk right through the things that hinder you the most.
Personally, hiking has become a way I can do just that. Subsequently, the PCT has given me the route, a beautiful place to hike, connection with a community, and an objective.
From the beginning it has been my intention to use my endeavour to bring attention to a foundation whose primary focus is on those who suffer from spinal chord injuries and help further their objectives by raising funds and awareness. The Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Centre(Northern Alberta) Society, SCITCS, based in Edmonton Alberta Canada, is just such an organization. President and co-founder Louies Miller, as well as, honorary chairman Craig Simpson ( A Former Edmonton Oiler) have made a huge contribution to the lives of many disabled individuals within Alberta. For more information on the amazing works done for disabled individuals visit SCITCS.org and SCITCS Facebook.
Why do I need your help? The answer is, the currency exchange is going to severely hamper my resources. I have already purchased my gear, plane ticket and have a basic budget for food. The PCT is extremely difficult and many fail. There are people called “Trail Angels” who spend their summers helping hikers precisely because it is so financially, physically, and mentally taxing. For example, there is a lovely couple who are picking me (Plus many other PCT Hikers) up from the airport, hosting us for two nights, and driving us to the trailhead at the southern terminus. I I would love all of my friends and family to be my Trail Angels. I will be hiking for six months in the desert and mountain wilderness so a few extra nights in a hotel, on recuperation (Zero) days, here and there, or replacing a piece of worn out gear, could make a world of difference in me having a successful outcome. Finally, this is a mental game as much as anything else; knowing I have the support of my community will boost my morale when I need it the most and keep my motivation at it’s peak.
What are my fundraising goals? My goal is to raise 3500.00$ Canadian. All additional funds will be donated to the SCITCS organization. In addition, I pledge to only access these funds in the event my monthly budget is exhausted so as to maximize the donation to SCITCS.
Throughout the participation of this undertaking, I hope to rediscover and redefine who I am as a human being and as a disabled man. I want to invoke and make lasting change in the lives of others and myself by Pushin Past the Pain on the PCT.