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As I mentioned in another thread I was tasked with taking Margaret from Broome to the Bungles for a few days camping. Must admit it was a bit daunting as Margaret has only 5% vision and no colour perception and the ground we had to cover was quite rough, even for an able bodied person. The tracks are creek beds lined with river stones that shift underfoot and a test even for the young and fit. It's ankle snapping stuff.
My knees were killing me after these walks, I'm kinda alright when out and about but later, back in camp when things cool down I struggle a bit. I spoke not one word of complaint...how could I!
Margaret has slowly been going blind for a couple of decades now and it won't be long before her sight is completely gone.
So she is on a mission. After the Bungles she's off to Uluru and then to Vietnam.
One of the most astonishing, powerful and inspirational individuals I've ever met.
Margaret had to give up her nursing career two decades ago but still works as a remedial massage therapist. Walks unaided the two kilometres to work each day, competes in half marathons and Iron Woman events (with assistance), no guide dog or cane, just a fierce determination to enjoy life to the full.
Also she has somehow managed to raise two wonderful daughters single-handed.
It was an absolute privilege to take Margaret on this trip, she is delightful company, wonderful sense of humour and has an aura about her that's hard to explain. Humbling experience.
The first image shows Margaret rock climbing fer gawds sake. I was having kittens! But I realised very early on Margaret does not take well to advice on what she should or should not do. Basically just stand back and get out of her way. If she needs a hand she will ask.
Showed this image to some folks who know Margaret well and they simply shrugged their shoulders, laughed, and said, "oh well, that's just Margaret"
Couple images of Cathedral gorge. Water levels are low and it looks yucky but that pool fills up a bit with rain and is magnificient.
This is now one of my favourite images, and not just from this trip...Margaret, just letting it all soak in.
I'll be printing this and hanging it on my wall as a reminder of my journey into the outback wilderness with this amazing woman.
My knees were killing me after these walks, I'm kinda alright when out and about but later, back in camp when things cool down I struggle a bit. I spoke not one word of complaint...how could I!
Margaret has slowly been going blind for a couple of decades now and it won't be long before her sight is completely gone.
So she is on a mission. After the Bungles she's off to Uluru and then to Vietnam.
One of the most astonishing, powerful and inspirational individuals I've ever met.
Margaret had to give up her nursing career two decades ago but still works as a remedial massage therapist. Walks unaided the two kilometres to work each day, competes in half marathons and Iron Woman events (with assistance), no guide dog or cane, just a fierce determination to enjoy life to the full.
Also she has somehow managed to raise two wonderful daughters single-handed.
It was an absolute privilege to take Margaret on this trip, she is delightful company, wonderful sense of humour and has an aura about her that's hard to explain. Humbling experience.
The first image shows Margaret rock climbing fer gawds sake. I was having kittens! But I realised very early on Margaret does not take well to advice on what she should or should not do. Basically just stand back and get out of her way. If she needs a hand she will ask.
Showed this image to some folks who know Margaret well and they simply shrugged their shoulders, laughed, and said, "oh well, that's just Margaret"
Couple images of Cathedral gorge. Water levels are low and it looks yucky but that pool fills up a bit with rain and is magnificient.
This is now one of my favourite images, and not just from this trip...Margaret, just letting it all soak in.
I'll be printing this and hanging it on my wall as a reminder of my journey into the outback wilderness with this amazing woman.
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