[pct-l] Chronic physical disabilities

[Devon Taig]

If you are insane, then you are eminently qualified to hike the PCT and
will be in good company.  Don't attempt it without being certifiable
though.
Of course without knowing more about your injury, it's pretty hard to know
if your body would stand up to that many miles a day, but surely there's
just one way to find out.  Two words that you (as someone with a spinal
cord disorder) need to get *very* familiar with are "ultra" and "light".
 Also, the first 500 miles of the trail or so have a lot of potential
bail-out points without having to hike a zillion miles, so that's to your
advantage as well.

River

On Wed, Nov 14, 2012 at 10:46 PM, Evelyn Dybowski <lilacs007 at yahoo.com>wrote:

> Hi Everyone, I have been lurking on here for a while. My "disability" is a
> spinal cord disorder that I had surgery for 2 years ago. I am still in
> pain. But I walk, work, go to school etc.I recently saw a blog of someone
> hiking with cancer and a tumor on their cord. I would love to do this
> hike.. maybe 2014? BUT everyone tells me I am insane.
> Does anyone think it is possible? If I train and find a way to get my pain
> medication on the trail etc is this something I could do?
> Thanks!
> Evelyn
>
> --- On Mon, 11/12/12, Irwin Reeves <irwinreeves2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> From: Irwin Reeves <irwinreeves2 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] Chronic physical disabilities
> To: Pct-L at backcountry.net
> Date: Monday, November 12, 2012, 8:31 PM
>
> Ernie----
>
> I read your submission regarding cardiac problems and hiking that was in
> the Oct 27 PCT-l.
> I have both a recently implanted cardiac pacemaker and Parkinson disease
> that was
> diagnosed about 3 years ago.  I am 72 years old and in apparently good
> health except
> for these 2 problems.  I am on medication for both conditions.  I feel
> well, have good stamina
> and am physically active.
>
> I am sending this blurb in response to Ernie Castillo's  note of Oct. 27,
> 2012
> I could not find a reference of how to get in touch with the Incredible
> Bulk.
> Please send off line if possible.  My message to Ernie bounced back
>
> I have done a lot of hiking in the Sierra Mt. and the mountains of SoCAL.
> But have slowed down some over the past 10 yrs.  I am thinking it might be
> possible
> to put on a more targeted  one topic seminar at the KO.  This would deal
> with
> problems that are not directly trail/hike related such as sprained ankles,
> dehydration,
> poison oak, snake bite, heat problems, etc.  The thrust would be hiking
> with
> more chronic conditions that  might be picked up before starting serious
> long distance
> hiking.  I am sure there are authorities in SoCa that would be glad to give
> a 1-2 hr.  lecture on such a topic.  There is a long list of chronic
> diseases that
> could serve as seminar material-.  All these problems could be or are
> exacerbated
> by hiking.  So - Set your Own Pace!!
>
>     Parkinson's Disease                Cardiac problems
>     GI problems                            Weight problems
>     Arthritis                                   Asthma
>     Etc.
>
> Crash  (Irwin Reeves)
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.
>