BEN

22 May
During the course of this very lengthy and rambling blog site, I have mentioned all that Paul and Malcolm 'have done' for Ben.
What I have failed to mention, and deliberately omitted, until such time as and when Paul and Ben had accomplished the greater part of their Pilgrimage, is:- "What Ben has done for Ben".
Ben has done what the vast majority of us could not, or would not, even attempt to do. A stubborn man with determination, strength of character and single-mindedness who, although afflicted by Parkinson's Disease, was driven by sheer guts to achieve his very own Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela and no-one was ever going to deter him or obstruct his path in achieving his goal.
The Pilgrimage of The Route of Saint James has been Ben's obsession from the very moment that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Even on the occasions when he experienced the downside of the Disease, there was always the Pilgrimage to motivate and spur him onwards. A man totally committed and absorbed with 'finding himself' on what has proved to be a very emotional and very spiritual journey.
I have found, whilst writing this blog and speaking to Ben on a daily basis, that I have become completely preoccupied with and, at times, very much emotionally effected by Ben's Pilgrimage.
"What Ben has done for Ben" is to give himself a purpose in life, the impossible can become possible, realise that great mountains can be overcome despite the affliction of Parkinson's Disease and that there are a great many people out there to whom he is a shining example and who think that he is one very, very special man.
I have nothing but admiration and love for Ben - my husband, the Pilgrim.

Jenny