Pain Awareness Month: A few weeks ago I achieved a lifelong goal of climbing Katahdin, the highest mountain in my home state of Maine (USA) and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
As I progressed through the grueling day, stepping unevenly gave me occasional reminders that I’d broken my foot last year, and I needed to use my inhaler every 4 hours to keep my exercise induced asthma from flaring up. But aside from these two things, I was strong and determined, and I felt so privileged to be pursuing that dream.
But many people in this world have to fight serious pain just to live their daily lives, and for many, achieving strenuous physical goals is out of reach. (If you’re one of those people, I’m sending you so much love and I hope you are coping and have the support you need. Feel free to comment if you want a place to talk to others about it )
September has been Pain Awareness Month and I didn’t want to let it end without sharing my friend The Gail Muller’s Unlost Walks charity fundraiser. When Gail was fifteen, she was told she’d be in a wheelchair by the age of forty. But at forty-one, she hiked The Appalachian Trail. And her book “Unlost” has just been released She’s one of my most inspiring friends and such a force for good.
If you’re looking for a place to give back, and help people suffering from chronic illness and pain, you can help Gail out at the following links:
(I will write a full post about this hike I promise!)
Lilly x