Sydney Archdiocese REPORT-
4 Aug 2011
Excited group of Sydney Pilgrims farewell family
as they head for Holy Land Pilgrimage and WYD
picture by Chris Virgona
There were no wheelchairs in sight or other paraphernalia when a group of eight young pilgrims joined 16 others wearing Madrid World Youth Day's distinctive red T-shirts at the overseas departure terminal at Sydney airport last night and posed for photographs holding the Australian Flag.
What most other travellers at the overseas terminal last night probably didn't realise was that eight of the group of 24 World Youth Day (WYD) pilgrims has a physical or mental disability or that those travelling with them included volunteer carers who will accompany them on this once-in-a-lifetime journey. The carers themselves are also youthful pilgrims headed for World Youth Day (WYD) Madrid and include students at Australian Catholic University's School of Nursing with two members of the Sydney chapter of the Young Order of the Knights of Malta, Chris Cox and Camillus O'Kane acting as volunteer carers as well as team leaders.
For those with spina bifida, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy walking unaided can not only be difficult but extremely tiring. But last night not one of those with these particular conditions wanted to be photographed in their wheelchairs or to be defined by their disability. Nor did the young people with intellectual or mental disabilities such as schizophrenia or Down Syndrome which can sometimes also affect physical coordination.
Instead these young people were determined to be seen and accepted on their own terms. Certainly there will be times over the next four weeks when they will need their wheelchairs or extra help from their carers who volunteered to help them make this very special journey. But none want to be regarded as "disabled" and whatever their physical or mental condition, know that this does not define who they are, and has nothing to do with their spontaneous laughter, warmth, love of music and meeting other young people - or their love of Christ.
"Bridget is very excited to be going and this is a wonderful opportunity for her," Bridget Virgona's mother, Pam said.
Bridget has spina bifida and walking unaided is not easy. But last night, full of excitement, she was determined to be like everyone else.
For Pam and her husband Chris, farewelling Bridget 27 and seeing her take off on an overseas trip with people her own age, laughing and about to embark on a remarkable journey of faith, was a joyous and very special occasion.
"One of the lovely benefits of leaving the protection of the family home is the opportunity to be independent," says Pam pointing out "This doesn't happen often for people with a disability!"
Chris and Pam Virgona with their daughter Bridget, 27
who has Spina Bifida
Like most parents, she and Chris were initially concerned about sending their daughter off on her own without them to look after or care for her. But meeting Fr James McCarthy helped reassure them. Fr James was the one who came up with the idea of finding volunteer carers so young people from Sydney with disabilities could participate in this very special pilgrimage through Egypt and the Holy Land as well as the week's events at WYD11 in Madrid, and set about finding and training the volunteer carers from among the WYD pilgrims as well as the 12 young people with disabilities.
"After meeting with the nursing students as well as Camillus and Chris Cox we had complete confidence Bridget would be fine," says Pam and as she and Chris said their goodbyes to their daughter, she described the trip as a unique opportunity and a wonderfully positive experience for her. "We were told in the preparation meetings that on a pilgrimage like this you will learn a lot about yourself. I hope that happens for Bridget."
Other parents farewelling their child at Sydney Airport last night were John and his wife Margaret Talpin. Their son, 19 year old Michael on, Michael has Down Syndrome and they were thrilled he had been given the chance to travel overseas without them, and for the first time in his life, to be truly independent.
Michael, the youngest of four, has never let being born with Down Syndrome stop him from embracing life with typical enthusiasm, laughter and love. He is aware he has the condition, but nothing holds him back. Growing up in Cronulla, he was never off the beach and is a keen surfer, golfer, tennis player, swimmer and a keen competitor at the Special Olympics.
After attending Catholic primary and secondary mainstream schools, Michael sat for his HSC and now holds down a job with international recruitment firm, Manpower where he is an office assistant in charge of the mail, filing and similar duties.
In July 2008, Michael was among the throng of young people who carried and escorted the WYD Cross along the beach at Cronulla and according to his parents is hugely excited about attending WYD in Madrid.
"About eight weeks ago, we were approached to see if we were interested in Michael doing the trip," John Talpin says and admits at first that like Bridget Virgona's parents, he and Margaret were a little uneasy about sending their son, who has never spent a night away from his family.
"We were concerned about his wellbeing and safety but after meeting Fr James and the team leaders Camillus and Chris, and then the other carers as well as the doctor who is travelling with them, and realised how well organised and coordinated the trip was, and were completely reassured," he says.
Last night, just as the group was about to enter customs, Michael suddenly realised this really was "goodbye" and as he hugged his parents, he couldn't help a tear or two.
"Our family, relatives and friends will keep in touch with Michael and see what the group is up to via the Young Order of the Knights of Malta's page on Facebook which Camillus promises to update with pictures and news daily," John says.
Certainly the first leg of the journey will offer some special challenges as the group heads for Cairo and from there to Mount Sinai. The pilgrimage, which is a preparation for WYD11, is being led by the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell.
Called the Exodus Encounter, the journey will take 14 with disabilities and another 26 including the volunteer pilgrim-carers, the ancient world where they will climb Mt Sinai and stand on the banks of the Red Sea.
Then with Cardinal Pell at the helm, the pilgrims will cross into the Holy Land to follow in the footsteps of Christ as they visit the Sea of Galilee, Bethlehem, Old Jerusalem, Calvary, the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane before boarding a plane for Madrid and international World Youth Day 2011.
In Madrid, the young group with disabilities will join up with more than two million pilgrims from across the world including 4000 others with disabilities.
"It will be a life-changing event for all of us," predicts Camillus O'Kane.
http://www.sydney.catholic.org.au/news/latest_news/2011/201184_829.shtml
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