People Who Have Inspired Me

                                            Mount Katahdin Warriors
Picture taken at the top of Mount Katahdin in 2008.
Standing left to right..Wayne Mattice, Terry Edgett, Dave Wallace
Sitting left to right ..Bill Trewin, Brian Lowe

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

There are many people in our lives who follow their heart’s path and by doing so, inspire us.  These people inspire us because they are such great examples of courage and the ability to overcome many of the obstacles life has given them. The group in the picture climbed  Mt Katahdin the summer of 2008. One was my husband and yes he inspires me, however the real story is about two of the hikers who accompanied him. One of the hikers, Bill Trewin  has Parkinson’s and the other hiker, Dave Wallace has MS.  Mt.Katahdin is not easy for the average person to hike, so imagine doing this with the extra physical challenges that MS or Parkinsons brings with it. There are many large boulders that need to be walked around or over on this mountain climb. It is not an easy hike. It took the group over 12 hours to complete. They finished in the dark but they did indeed finish! 

I was truly inspired after hearing their story and seeing the pictures. After I found my way back to a healthier body {look at my journey back section for my story} I  came up with this idea that I might want to try and walk  10km with my Nordic Poles. I had managed to walk a few 5kms but I must say for me they were a real challenge.  When I decided to walk the 10 km there were many days when I did 6 or 7 and thought there is no way I am going to walk 10km but then I would think of Bill and Dave and think, I can at least try.  So in October  2009 I lined up with the rest of the walkers and runners for the Legs for Literacy Race in Moncton.  I picked this race to do because being a writer, I really believe in Literacy. It was not easy but it was easier then my mind had made it seem at times.  I had the great priviledge of walking with one of  the people who inspired me, Bill.  Or should I say he was kind enough to walk with me.  Bill can easily walk a 10km and has done many half marathons with his Nordic Poles. Bill and another Nordic Walker, Linda Fullerton kept me entertained and I didn’t even notice the pain until we were finished. 
Who inspires you?  Look around because there are probably plenty of wonderful inspiring people standing right next to you.