Cross Canada Run

Alright, I have finished my run to Victoria, BC on June 11th but haven’t had the chance to put up a blog entry. Part of the reason for the delay was that I wasted too much time trying to come up with a ‘special’ blog entry to commemorate the end of this journey but I finally realized that the most important thing is to inform people that I have actually completed the run. I apologize for the delay if you have been waiting for an update and I obviously still need to work on my time management skills, among others.

Anyhow, I figured that I should just take this time to thank those who have helped me throughout this journey to raise awareness of mental health. I would like to start with my colleagues and friends at Chase Paymentech, a.k.a. my home team, who helped launch this journey and some have maintained consistent communication with me all the way. I still remember how warm I felt when they sent me off to Newfoundland and how good I felt when I saw them again in Toronto. I still have on the wall of my RV the huge farewell card that my colleagues gave me with good wishes written all over it. After more than a year of motivating me on the road, some of the taping that has been holding the card to the wall is peeling off because the card is heavy with their love and support. I can’t thank them enough.

This journey wouldn’t have happened without the help of many, many friends. Friends back home and friends I have met throughout the journey. Friends who lent a hand when I reached out and friends who made sacrifices to support this cause. One important lesson I have learned from this journey is the value of friendships. I realized how quickly friendships can form during this journey where the normal barriers between human beings seem to be non-existent. I think that I have been getting a free ride on the human love train for the past year when people I met for the first time just opened up their hearts and love me unconditionally. Perhaps this is just how we are.

Along the way I met numerous wonderful people who work in the mental health area, helping those in need day-in and day-out. I wish to thank all of them for their passion to care for those affected by mental illness and for helping me spread the message.

The other group of people I want to thank are those affected by these illnesses like myself. For example, the man at the beach who picked me up with his story when I was feeling a little lost; the couple who shared with me their life-long battle with these illnesses while giving me a ride to support this cause.

Words like the following kept me going:
“The very fact that I have anxiety is depressing me .I cannot get over the fact that I have it…I am worrying about worrying and getting depressed about getting depressed.”

Words like these gave me hope:
“You’ve definitely given me hope that I can get past this… I’ve been ashamed of having anxiety and depression but you are helping to make others realize that people with anxiety and depression are completely capable and can actually be really interesting people.”

Finally, I would like to thank my family for their unconditional love and support. I know I have caused more than a few headaches, especially to my mother, throughout this eventful journey. However, my family has stuck with me through the highs and lows, giving me confidence to go on when I had doubts. I appreciate the huge sacrifices they have made to support my journey. They have truly shown me love. I am blessed!

This is not a good-bye note to those of you who have been following this run or those of you who have just become aware of this cause. I will continue to share with you my endeavors to further raise awareness of mental health. I will be collaborating with mental health organizations and I will be speaking about my experience in different functions. In the near future, I plan to organize a run to northern Canada (Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut) to raise awareness of these illnesses in the rest of Canada. Furthermore, I am hoping to run to other countries in order to spread the message to all corners of the world.

Once we have taken the first step, the next step becomes easier.
Keep making small steps and we will reach the world!
I cannot change the world as I am just one man. But with you, we can!
Love led me to this journey. Love gave me strength. Love is you and me.
Love…

With all my heart,
Wayne