Why I'm Doing This: Andy

When I was first diagnosed with MS about three years ago, the doctor rather clumsily breaking the news to me gave the following advice: Don't tell anyone. People will treat you different. My first thought was You mean 'differently'. My second thought was 'You don't know my friends'. How did he expect me to keep a lifelong secret from a group of people intelligent and curious enough at least to ask what the walking stick was for? What could I say? "Oh, I was playing for the All-Blacks, and..."?

So I decided, pretty much then and there, to ignore his advice. Hiding one's condition – especially something as prevalent and misunderstood as MS – helps nobody out. So there's one reason for attempting this foolhardy publicity stunt. Every article, every interview will have to mention the MS and explain a little about it. I get to talk openly about it. And I get to raise money for a charity that, for obvious reasons, I'd like to have lots of money. And I still get to use the All-Blacks line when I'm feeling mischevious.

The other reason is my belief that outside the Comfort Zone is where the magic happens. And right now, typing this, I'm terrified about what I've got myself into. Walking distances is tough for me. My right leg tires and gets floppy until it may as well be a glazed ham for all the good it's doing me. I can trip over the smallest stones in the road. My balance becomes precarious. But I shall nonetheless pack my meds, a pen and some paper, point my eyes towards the horizon, and start walking. How much can you ever know about yourself if you don't ever set yourself challenges?

Why Kemp and the Nine Days' Wonder? Pragmatism. I pondered walking the length of Hadrian's Wall, but both ends of that walk are a long way from Norwich. At least with the Kemp route, as I near the finish line – the wall of the Maddermarket Church – I'll be able to see the smiles of my wife and my friends, and possibly a nice cold bottle of beer. And they're all things worth walking towards.

Thanks for reading this, and for following this challenge. If you've donated money, thanks again. We're already overwhelmed by your generosity. If you haven't yet donated, please consider doing so now: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ninedayswander. See you on the other side. With blisters.