Butterflies, Slugs, Snails & Tunnels
In October 2020 I was doing an Adventure Therapy paper through Ara Institute of Canterbury. As part of this paper one of my assignments was to create a group and design a programme based on the needs of the group. I was also completing my Diploma in Positive Psychology and Wellbeing at the time and wanted to merge the two together. I absolutely believe that even with a life changing diagnosis a person can not only survive those challenges thrown at them, but they can flourish as well, and I wanted to empower the group to use the outdoors as a part of their toolkits.
I had heard about a Café group who had formed because they had not been able to find the support they wanted from existing cancer support groups in Taupō. I pitched the idea to Jane Saunders who was the founder of the group and she was really supportive and totally on board with the concept. So the group was formed and off we went on some walks, soaking up all our local environment has to offer!
The feedback I got from the initial 6 week project was heart warming and rewarding…
It got me out on my worst days (previously I would hibernate)
Sharing my cancer journey and learning about others journey helps me keep a perspective on life
Encouraged me to get out and walk on my own and with family
We get to share worries, funny stories, tips and tricks
Thought provoking and uplifting
Conversations happened organically and not always based on heavy issues
My heart felt warm after walking with this amazing group of women
Even reading those now makes me feel warm fuzzies!
With that feedback I couldn’t help but offer to keep this group going for as long as they wanted it. It has been a privilege and an honour. I can’t even begin to count the ways my life has changed just by being involved in this group and I have learnt so much from each and every one of the walkers and talkers. In October 2023 this group will have been going for three years and I hope to keep it going for many more!
So what does this have to do with the title of this blog you might ask…
Not much at all really, but I do love to take pictures on our walks and today was no different. Although this week was one of those weeks that it didn’t work with people’s schedules, I still went out (Chico still has to have his morning walk after all!) so while thinking and reflecting on all those in this group and soaking up the outdoors, this is what I saw (in this order!) and I thought “that would make a great blog post title!”
