Giving Back: Two Inspiring Stories of Courage

I returned to the Camino in August 2013, and shortly afterwards I saw Walking the Camino, and shortly after I saw the documentary I was hired on as Outreach & Marketing Coordinator. Since September 12, 2013, I have had the blessing of my work being the Camino, the spreading of the documentary, the message, the metaphor that the Camino is for life.

From the mountaintop: the valley below the Alto de Perdón
From the mountaintop: the valley below the Alto de Perdón

Perhaps the greatest joy and blessing of my job has been connecting with pilgrims past, present, and future. I have had the honor of holding space for people’s stories, for your stories, for making sure that they are heard and revered with love and respect and admiration.

You are courageous and kind, strong and humble, vulnerable and authentic. You inspire me with your generosity and your journeys. You have made the film possible with your support, thanks to you Walking the Camino has gotten out into the world.

Map of the Cross-Country Theatrical Tour of "Walking the Camino"

When we posted a blog recently about Phil and his Cancer and his Camino, your support was overwhelming and you responded with gratitude to us for the opportunity to give back. You, are incredible.

I wanted to share these two stories with you as they have deeply inspired and moved me, and they need our help to become realities. While I don’t have much financially, I have personally donated money to each of these campaigns because I believe so deeply that these stories will change lives. They already have changed lives, and I know they will change even more when the products are finished.

First, is Phil’s Camino, the story of a man with terminal cancer who dreams of walking the Camino and is given the blessing to do so when he gets permission from his doctors to skip a chemotherapy session. So Phil walks the Camino Francés. All 790 kilometers of it.

Phil's Camino
Phil’s Camino

Annie O’Neil, one of the featured pilgrims in Walking the Camino and the film’s Co-Producer, is the Producer of what will eventually be a short documentary about Phil and his Camino. Read more in depth about Phil’s Camino in a post written by Annie – click here to read the post, and click here to go to the IndieGoGo page and donate.

They have $1,363 left to reach their goal – that would be 137 people donating $10 each, or 273 people donating $5 dollars each… we have 8,700+ likes on our Facebook page, so this should be a piece of cake!!

Phil in Spain
Phil in Spain

Second, is I’ll Push You, the story of two life long best friends, Justin & Patrick, do the Camino together. Justin, also known as the Disabled Traveler, has a progressive neurological disorder that currently has no cure, and is taking away Justin’s ability to use his muscles, little by little. When Justin finds out about the Camino, he asks Patrick if he wants to do it, and Patrick’s response is “I’ll push you.” So he does – he pushes Justin, all 500 miles across Spain.

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Click here to their Kickstarter page to view the trailer and donate. (NOTE: if you’re a puddle like I am and cry at all things inspiring and moving, make sure to have some kleenex handy)

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They have $1,842 left to reach their goalif they don’t get that money raised, all the $15,000+ that’s been raised so far won’t go to the project. That would be 185 people donating $10 each, or 369 people donating $5 dollars each… AGAIN, we have 8,700+ likes on our Facebook page, so this should be a piece of cake!!

Thank you for taking the time to read this post, share it, and help bring these inspiring stories to the world. Certainly, we need more of them in our society and culture, and I would dare say that anyone who has walked the Camino would agree.

And personally, thank you for helping me continue my Camino every day and for reminding me of the importance of why I do what I do. I am so very grateful to you all.

Ultreia … keep moving forward with courage …

Maggie

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