Hello and thank you for reading my page. 
Walking 500 miles is no cup of tea, but I'm ready for it!


I cannot express the gratitude for what has already happened as a result of saying YES to The Camino(The way, the walk, the path).

I know I have to do it and it has already changed me in many powerful ways. At the same time, I know I have to do it for someone else too.



I decided to walk for those who are in my circle of friends and family who have been affected by the endless hurdles of mental illness and to open up the conversation to help and heal.  At the same time, I already feel my heart opening up to understand deeper compassion in the process.

In 2015, I was bombarded by dramatic situations of addiction, mental illness and the fact that almost everyone of us is personally affected or knows of someone who is also experiencing some sort of mental challenge. Sometimes it's a light depression, sometimes it's acute, full on mental illness and the world seems to get turned upside down. 

Depression
Bipolar disorders 
Alzeimher's
Motor function issues due to strokes
Schizophrenia (a lifelong illness experienced by Beto's mom) and on and on. I'm sure you can think of someone in your circle too. 
None of them are easy or light but all of them are an invitation to open our hearts more or to act in some way.

Fear and lack of experience opened my eyes.
I realized that most of the time, these conditions exist hidden in silence or are swept under the rug. I also realized it doesn't need to be that way.  The conversation can be supportive, informative, caring and I could be proactive about doing my part.

So I will.
This is how I will begin. It's not perfect but I'll talk about it, bring light to it, ask for your story(and I have heard many already through my T-Shirt Signature Invitation)and I will begin my walk...approximately one million steps across Spain. 


Friends who have shared their personal stories have  asked me to do this....to begin a Go Fund Me account. 
This is something I shy away from and pushes my "you-mustn't-be-a-burden-button." I've had to move beyond that and see it differently. It's about service and the benefits to those it will help. It's therefore about all of those it serves: A friend, nephew, cousin, co-worker, husband, a mom etc. So I will ask.
Thank you for your participation in this.

The goal is Wellness. To improve the situation for those who suffer. Donations will serve mental health service providers in Southern California and in Rhode Island/New England area(my home state).
I ask you to contribute a specific amount that feels right to you and I thank you in advance for whatever that amount is. I also thank you on behalf of those who will benefit from your donations knowing that change is already taking place as a result of your participation and my walk. 

I'm doing this! You are welcome to join me. Together we can take one step (of one million) towards changing a life for the better.

Sincerely, 

 Bruce 


"Buen Camino" is a phrase used among pilgrims and by those who live in the area to greet pilgrims and wish them well on their path. The average Camino de Santiago pilgrimage walk lasts 30-35 days walking westward from France across the Pyrenees and the width of Spain to the town of Santiago de Compostela.