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Walking 2,000 Kilometres For Charity -- BAREFOOT!

9/24/2016

Take a look at this map of Ireland. A nice route is marked on it. Imagine driving that.

Then imagine walking it -- unless you're an avid hiker it may be a bit too daunting.

Then. Imagine. Walking. It. BAREFOOT!

Which is exactly what my guest blogger today, Eamonn Keaveney, did during the summer, for charity!

I'm renowned for going barefoot 99% of the time -- and I'm as equally well-known by my local media for my barefoot walks for charity as I am for my novels. But this...well, I am in complete awe of Eamonn. No way could I have done a tenth of this!

Over to Eamonn:

‘How are the feet?’ I was asked this question time and time again this summer, as I walked around Ireland with no shoes on and an enormous backpack on my shoulders. ‘Not too bad,’ I usually replied, even if at times it felt like they were hanging off of me. It was sore, to be quite honest. I’m no stranger to walking around barefoot – I’ve been doing it for several years now – but there’s something else about walking twenty or thirty kilometres a day for weeks on end.

They get pretty tender beating about on the Irish roads (which generally live up to their reputation), and besides you have plenty of gorse and nettles waiting for you in the gully. But they came through in the end, to the point that I could walk over gravel that once would have made me wince with pain. Still a little reluctantly, but I could walk over it.

This greeting was almost always immediately followed by the question of why I would do such a thing, which I have to say is a fairly sensible question to ask a man dodging cars in the rain without even a pair of flip-flops to spare his feet.

There’s a short answer and a long answer. The short answer is that I was engaged in a 2,000 kilometre barefoot walk around the periphery of the country (I have to admit that I skipped the midlands) in aid of the Pieta House Suicide and Self-Harm Crisis Centre, and in pursuit of the Guinness World Record for longest barefoot journey, which was held by Michael Essign at an impressive 1,488km.

The longer answer of where the idea actually came from goes back to climbing Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday back in 2014, a day when many choose to climb barefoot. I was with my good friend Killian McGrath, and after we had managed to reach the top I was struck by the idea of climbing other mountains in Ireland barefoot – specifically the highest peak in each of the four provinces.

I never actually got around to that (yet!).

But the idea simmered in the back of my mind, and after I walked the Camino de Santiago later that year – not entirely barefoot, I’m afraid – I thought it’d be even more challenging to walk between them.

It all came together one day when, sheltering in Eason’s from the rain, I opened the Guinness Book of Records for a quick peek, saw the existing record, and thought to myself – “Sure I can beat that.”

The rules were pretty strict. No footwear was a bit obvious; I was allowed to wear them on rest days that didn’t contribute to the overall total distance, but could only do so once because I didn’t actually carry any with me.

No bandages or plasters – to stop some genius from wrapping his feet in twenty layers of gauze. No walking aids meant I couldn’t carry a cool stick, but it wasn’t so bad.

And it had to have the spirit of a journey; I couldn’t just add up my trips to the shop over a few months and submit that.

I also had to gather an enormous amount of evidence, including photos, videos, GPS files, witness statements and a log book… It turned out to be quite a lot more than I expected.

I remember distinctly one of my lowest points. Just under two weeks in, I was lumbering along the Limerick road out of Galway, my feet were on fire (this was before they’d developed a healthy protective layer of skin) and my backpack was almost crushing me. I stopped for a moment by the side of the road for a breather, feeling dismayed at the distance I still had to cover. Then it started to rain heavily.

But I kept going, and it kept getting better, until moments like that were very rare indeed. To be quite fair, I was fortunate to be able to spend my summer getting an excellent farmer’s tan from all the time spent outside, and in what surroundings!

Every part of this island has something to offer the eye, whether it’s a beautiful view or a place of some kind of historic interest. (Again, I can’t really say much about the midlands, sorry.) Cliffs rising defiantly out of the water; ancient, crumbling castles now inhabited only by sheep; mountains kept warm by a cap of cloud; green-and-purple bog stretching into the distance; and gorgeous yellow-white beaches that are as much a pleasure to the unshod foot as they are to the eye...

The only two annoyances are the wind and the midges, and at least when you have one you don’t have the other.

Still, what made it for me was the support I received. Everywhere I went I had people offering help of one kind or another; people stopped and offered me lifts that I had to politely decline, or wished me well, or asked how to donate to Pieta House, which was what it was all about.

I stayed in people’s houses up and down the entire country, was fed and watered everywhere I went, and several times on hot days people actually stopped their cars to give me ice-cream.

I was utterly humbled by this response, but it just goes to show that when it comes to the issue of suicide, Irish people really, really care, and will go out of their way to help someone who needs it.

It’s been over a month since I finished. Sometimes I’m glad, sometimes I feel my feet itching for the road. I’m already being asked what I’m going to do next, something I can only say that I’m not thinking about; I’m still resting! But will I keep walking around barefoot? Almost certainly.

The biggest thing I noticed – shoes are too warm now!

EDITOR'S NOTE -- While that may be the end of Eamonn's post, there is one thing this incredibly modest man hasn't mentioned...and that's the amount of money his barefoot walk raised for Pieta House.

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Dickblunter's Legacy -- Libraries Lost In The Mists Of Time

9/17/2016

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“Now then, children. It’s not a fairy story. Libraries really did exist in the past.

“And this month and year, September 2116 in the 22nd Century, marks the 100th anniversary of a stout and sturdy band of men and women setting out to save the heritage of Desford Library.

“Libraries had their origins in the English way of life in 1464 and became popular and widespread in the mid 19th Century. A special magical cabinet was created to nurture and look after these wondrous buildings, to encourage everything they stood for in their latter years: homework support for children; free broadband internet and email for those with no home access to it; photocopying and fax facilities; free information and book loans; and information about local history and families.

“But a dark curse spread across the land when the Dickblunter Group ascended and swallowed them up, left, right and centre, just like the whale did to Jonah.

“Dickblunter’s all-consuming flame turned with even greater fury upon the parish of Desford, moving the goalposts in the group’s desperate bid to replace that village focal point with a mobile chariot. Volunteers spoke up and pledged to run the much-loved and much-needed service.

But Dickblunter played a previously cunningly concealed Ace: ‘Hold hard,’ it cried. ‘You will also pledge to foot a £45,000 repair bill.’

“Desford’s response was swift and inspired: ‘We will take on an internal lease, where your all-powerful cabinet maintains the fabric of the building. Such precedents have been set with other libraries.’

“But t’was not to be. ‘Away with you,’ cried the rattled Dickblunter Group. ‘That will not come to pass. If no deal is done by the end of September, we will carry out a three-month consultation with the good folk of Desford and then recommend that their library be replaced by a mobile chariot.’

“And so, my children, the Dickblunter Group are long gone. Unfortunately their legacy lives on. Libraries are long gone too.”

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Become A UK Sepsis Volunteer

9/2/2016

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Regular readers of my blog, my magazine column and my Twitter posts will know that I am a passionate supporter of the UK Sepsis Trust.

Sepsis kills and maims quickly and ruthlessly. But if diagnosed early, it is fully treatable.

The Sepsis Trust is a charity which does great work in raising awareness of sepsis, but CEO Ron Daniels and his team rely on volunteers around the country to help spread the message.

One such volunteer is Dee Struthers, from the Isle Of Man.

Here, Dee tells the moving story of why she became a volunteer, explains what the role entails, and why volunteers are so important to the UK Sepsis Trust.

It has now been 3 years since I first became affected by sepsis. As a family of 4 we did know about meningitis and septicaemia but had never heard of Sepsis. Despite both my husband and I being involved in the health care sector we were ignorant of the nature and potential impact of sepsis. I had been a Nursery Nurse for 6 years in a medical children’s ward and had nursed children with meningitis in the early 1980’s while my husband is a nurse educator with over 30 years experiences. Why had we never known about sepsis?

On Thursday 18th July 2013 our lives changed forever…Sepsis took our beautiful 18 year old daughter Ann, leaving us devastated. It felt like Sepsis had taken Ann, leaving us as Sepsis survivors, (in my eye,) as we were suffering with all the Post Traumatic symptoms that survivors of sepsis experience, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, tiredness, fatigue, lack of concentration, it felt that we had lost a limb. Many of these feelings can be associated with the loss of a relative; however it is a shocking comparison due to the suddenness which surrounds the loss through sepsis, from healthy to death in a short time. Combined with the psychological and emotional feelings of bereavement, shock, anger, helplessness, loss of control and a broken heart, caused us to somewhat withdraw from our social world.

A few weeks after Ann’s funeral the only thing I felt I had left that I could do for our Daughter, was to do something to Raise Awareness about Sepsis in Ann’s memory. It was then through searching the internet I first became aware of UK Sepsis Trust.

Timing

However after my initial burst of “I have to do something,” I now realise that my husband’s caution was justified. We both had just come off Face Book due to it being unbearable to see others’ family lives continuing as normal and ours so heartbreakingly different to how we had hoped. Not engaging in other family activities did not bode well for being a volunteer. We as a family (now 3) my husband younger daughter and myself, were neither emotionally or physically ready to follow through my initial enquiries about becoming a volunteer. Even requesting ‘a table for 3 please’, in a restaurant caused a resurgence of grief. This still hurts, especially when they take the fourth place setting away.

We did do a few things 11 months later to raise awareness and for funds for UKST in the company of those who were closely linked to our situation, friends, neighbours and work colleagues. My husband completed the Isle of Man Parish Walk which is 85 miles to be walked in under 24 hours, no mean feat but he was determined to do it for Ann. We also did an Ice Bucket Challenge and A World Sepsis Day coffee morning in total we raised £5000. But for us it was never about the amount we could raise but about telling people about Sepsis and the signs and symptoms to look out for. So we quietly in a low key way at every opportunity would share the Sepsis Symptoms, albeit to those closest to us.

Inclusion

We now realise that it was extremely important for us to go through our grieving process, I appreciate that everyone is different and time has no meaning when it comes to loss of your child or loved one but it is really important that members of your family are in the right place with you to be able to share your story. We closely watched our younger daughter’s reaction to any suggestions made about looking at pictures of Ann or emotional poems that I wrote for posting in the local press at the 1 year anniversary. As she is very sensitive and picks up on everyone’s feelings, her silence could be telling. We continued to include Ann in our family and friends conversations and this I feel has helped prepare our now 17 year old daughter for our next step.

Linking with The UK Sepsis Trust

This April 2016, 2 and half years later, my husband informed me that Dr Ron Daniels was doing a guest presentation as a visitor on the island. I immediately asked if I could attend as a lay member. This was agreed. We met Dr Ron Daniels and shared our positions re sepsis, Ron suggested that I think again about becoming a volunteer representative. He said I “could do as much or as little as I felt up to, step in or step back” - wise comments which I keep reminding myself to do.

After this meeting with Ron, he then put me back in touch with Admin staff in the UKST office. Being at home each day did result in me having a quick anticipatory time frame for responses to emails and communications. I had to understand the nature of the operation of a charity and the fulltime employment commitments of the admin workers in the UK also the difficulties that the IOM and UK have on charity status, re raising money. After a settling in period I have to say they are an amazing bunch of people who are inspirational but also very caring in how they pointed out the potential emotional hazards to us.

Sharing Our Story

One early task was the creation of Ann’s Story banner. This was prompted by the suggestion of the power and impact our story makes. This then required me to write a summary of the key events about sepsis and how it affected Ann. The banner also required me to select pictures of Ann. This was quite cathartic as it was the first time I had constructed a written and pictorial account of Ann. From the moment Ann’s Banner arrived, I was emotional, yes, but more in an overwhelmed and tearful manner of pride. Pride for Ann, but also that I had made her more to share with others. I also felt empowered and back in control, to some degree.

It has taken 3 years for all 3 of us to be sufficiently emotionally ready to support me to become a UK Sepsis Trust volunteer representative. I have never felt stronger, more determined or driven to raise Sepsis Awareness. Taking on this role has given me a purpose now and sharing Ann’s Story is so powerful and fills me with pride. We still miss her dearly but know she is still with us in our hearts.

What my role entails

The role, for my early days as a volunteer, centres on spreading the word about how devastating Sepsis can be. However if recognised and caught quickly enough can be successfully treated, for many.

I keep it simple by suggesting, ask the question “Could it be sepsis?“ A question I wish I had had the knowledge to ask when I took our daughter up to A & E the day before she was admitted and told them that her pulse was fast and breathing fast and shallow. I knew Ann was unwell but with very vague other symptoms it can very easily be mistaken or missed. If the patient or carer has a gut feelings about how unwell they are, it is vital they remain assertive and not be put off by placatory responses like “Oh it’s flu symptoms “or “A viral infection” or assuming Dr knows best ! Every hour counts.

Legislation

My agenda on the Isle of Man is slightly different to volunteers in the UK. We have our own government with different rules, regulations and legislation so one of my hopes is that we will soon become affiliated to UKST, by having our own island branch. This will open up more avenues and “Manxify” our awareness campaign in Ann’s name so with the help guidance and support of the trust. We are pushing ahead with these plans.

I now realise the value of social media re Face Book and Twitter, when used appropriately, to spread and share stories about sepsis but also in supporting others. Our story was picked up by our local radio station 3FM after I started sharing Ann’s banner with my friends on Face Book. They invited me in to record an interview and our story was broadcast that week.

Events

I approached our local hospital and asked if I could place a stall at reception area, which I would man, sharing Ann’s story with the public and giving out Sepsis leaflets and Symptom cards and Raising Sepsis Awareness. This proved to be a very powerful and impartial as well as emotional week, not only to the public but also to hospital medical, nursing and administration staff but also more importantly because this was the hospital where our daughter was nursed by some of the medics and nurses.

Whilst talking to people I was again approached by a journalist from another local Manx Radio station who invited my husband and I along to the station to tell our story. This was put out on air the next day and I had many people come up to me and ask “ Are you the lady that was speaking on the radio?” I was blown away by the amount of sepsis awareness I had raised that week.

I have taken part in a 110ft cliff face abseil along with my daughter’s friends, who were doing their Diamond Jubilee Challenge Badge but also in memory of Ann and fund raising for sepsis, this was covered by our local press.

Future Events

My next planned event will be on 13th September for World Sepsis Day. The hospital has agreed to Co-coordinate the event and we plan to have a launch for another Sepsis Awareness raising week whereby I have been invited along to a training forum and will speak to staff about our story. I also plan to go along and speak with Student Nurses in the training centre. I have purchased a “The Sepsis Game, “ to use as a training tool.

Aims

One of my main aims is that a pamphlet with MANNX/ UKST is to be printed and placed in our local newspaper to be delivered to ever single home on the island. This I feel would go some way to educating the public about becoming more Sepsis Aware.
I also hope to write and publish a short article about Sepsis Awareness in our local magazine Manx tales. This magazine is also distributed to all the island homes, so is another way of educating everyone about Sepsis

As there has been no Sepsis awareness on the Island until I started my tentative steps back in April, It is my intention to keep up a sustained Sepsis campagne, by agreeing to take Ann’s Story Banner wherever Awareness needs to be raise eg. Clinics, Dentists, Schools, Police, Prison, Sheltered Housing complexes, Nursing Homes… the list goes on!

I may also enlist a few volunteers to assist organise events. Sounds a lot but really on a small island education should be much easier and quicker.

How important is my Role?

Many people have never heard of Sepsis or are confused by other medical condition such as Septicaemia or Meningitis.

Education is key, I feel the public need to be more educated and take more responsibility for their own health and welfare. Doctors are only human and can make mistakes like the rest of us, how can they possibly know everything about every medical condition in the world but we can become more sepsis aware and should not be afraid to ask questions if we are at all concerned.

The Symptoms to look out for

The UK Sepsis Trust have a website, showing everything you need to know about sepsis: www.sepsis trust.org

Signs and symptoms can vary for age groups and there is a separate list to check for under 5’s.

However the main ones are the Sepsis Six which are as follows:

If in doubt, ask: "Could it be sepsis?"

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Walking 2,000 Kilometres For Charity -- BAREFOOT!

Dickblunter's Legacy -- Libraries Lost In The Mists Of Time

Become A UK Sepsis Volunteer

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