Blind Pilgrims Trek Camino de Santiago, One Stage at a Time

Blind Pilgrims Conquer Camino de Santiago One Stage at a Time A group of visually impaired individuals is making headlines in Galicia, Spain, by tackling the challenging Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. Organized by the ONCE foundation, approximately 40 participants with varying degrees of visual impairment are completing the route in stages, one per month. Their journey began in February in A Guarda, and they are following the scenic Portuguese Coastal route. "We walk on the last Saturdays of each month," explains Antía Álvarez, a volunteer guide. "We started in A Guarda and do one stage per month. Today we completed the fourth stage, 15 kilometers between Vigo and Redondela." The initiative demonstrates remarkable determination. Enrique, a participant with only 5% vision, notes, "Each month we do more kilometers." Cristina, who is totally blind, adds, "For me, this is the second Camino, and it's beautiful because it's along the coast." Despite their visual limitations, the pilgrims emphasize the rich sensory experience of the journey. "I can't see the landscape, but I perceive other sensations, like the wind, the heat, the orientation," Enrique shares. Cristina adds, "The breeze, the touch of the breeze, feeling the sun on your body, the noises... other senses are much more activated." The group's journey is a testament to the power of human spirit and the supportive community that makes their pilgrimage possible. The group's perseverance and the beauty of their journey make this a compelling story of human resilience and the transformative power of community.