Taith Patagonia Siôn Brynach's Patagonia Trek
Hydref 2008 October

Why? What's the motivation for undertaking the trek?

Motives are difficult things aren't they? Personal and wider social considerations are often intertwined. When I first heard abut this proposed trek to Patagonia back in the summer of 2007 I'm sure that there was just such a mix - on the one hand the opportunity to do some good for those people who receive help from Mencap and on the other an opportunity for me personally to face a new and exciting challenge. Cathrin and I have been so blessed by our three children and aren't half thankful enough that they're so healthy and lively. Every child is of course a gift, but surely the parents of those who have learning difficulties deserve every assistance from us as members of the same society, so as to assist their children to fulfil their potential as valuable members of that same society. As the African proverb says, it takes a whole village to raise a child, and this is surely particularly true of children with learning difficulties.

One of the books which made quite an impression on me a few years ago, was Jean Vanier slim volume, Becoming Human, where the author speaks of his experiences as one of the founders of the L'Arche communities, which provide support and homes for people with learning difficulties. In the book, Vanier says:
"So many people with disabilities are seen by their parents and families only as a tragedy. They are surrounded by sad faces, sometime full of pity, sometimes tears. But every child, every person needs to know that they are a source of joy; every child, every person needs to be celebrated. Only when all of our weaknesses are accepted as part of our humanity can our negative, broken self-images be transformed...Assistants in l'Arche... help them to grow towards maturity."

A proportion of the minimum £3500 I hope to raise to support this trek will go to enable me to get to Patagonia and walk in the vicinity of Mount Fitzroy with Iolo Williams (and this has long since been passed - thanks to the generosity of family and friends) but the largest proportion will go to support those parents who climb a mountain daily as they raise and care for people with learning difficulties. With your help, together we can make a substantial difference to the lives of people with learning difficulties in contributing to the excellent work which Mencap does.