If you happen to see a man walking along Highway 17 with a dog named Timber and a unique looking wheeled cart, you can be pretty sure it’s Claude Camirand and he’s walking across the country in support of Epilepsy.
Claude was a circus performer in Montreal in 2021 when he suffered a concussion which triggered seizures that grew in number and intensity, until he realized he could no longer perform. Claude was diagnosed with a form of Epilepsy and because of a lack of medical insurance, he found his bills almost impossible to keep up with.
Claude decided that he would walk across the country with his trusty Service Dog Timber and collect donations along the way, a portion of which he has pledged to give to Epilepsy Canada. When he first came up with the idea, he wasn’t sure if he could really make it so he went on a “test walk”:
Starting in Montreal approximately 30 days ago Claude has been walking along the highways and bi ways of Quebec and now into Ontario as he makes his way west towards his final destination of Victoria BC.
Claude welcomes folks coming up to him and chatting along the way and is always very grateful for donations of items that he can use on his journey. Summer weather has it’s challenges, says Camirand, with heat and insects being the main concerns but as he wends his way westward he expects to reach the Rocky Mountains sometime in November when the snow will begin to fly in the higher regions.
Claude’s Face Book page is how he keeps track of who is following him and and who he can expect to meet up with when he passes through each town on the way. The support he is getting along the way makes what he is attempting all the more worth while, he explains:
Claude is making his way towards Petawawa today (July 1st) and is looking forward to making new friends for himself and Timber as he continues on his amazing journey. Following him on his FB link below. Good luck, Claude!
https://www.facebook.com/share/1CgLVXyxCR/
(Written By: Richard Evans)