2005
Wellness Walk Declared a "Perfect Day!"
Strikingly blue skies and soul-rejuvenating warm
temperatures greeted hundreds of Mental Health Consumers, Family Members
and Advocates for the second annual “Sowing the Seeds
of Wellness Walk” sponsored by the Southwest Virginia Consumer and
Family Project. The walk took place on April 9th and was
again held this year at Emory and Henry College. The event was assisted
by several E&H Service clubs as well as faculty of the college.
Estimates put the numbers of people at the 400 mark making this the
biggest walk event yet!
Registration began at a hurried pace so that all
participants could be counted before the scheduled 10:30 speeches by
Consumer Advocates Moe Armstrong and Jackie Kwan. Both speakers visibly
moved the audience with personal stories and provided uplifting and
motivating remarks with regards to mental health awareness and recovery.
This was Armstrong’s second year serving as a keynote speaker at the
event.
The walk began promptly at 11AM as Consumers,
Family Members, Advocates, Students and Faculty all marched around the
grounds of E&H, banners and posters proclaiming wellness and recovery
held high. On-lookers provided encouraging remarks and cheered the
walkers as they passed by. Several Clubhouses were represented as well
as the SW Virginia Mental Health Institute, and SW Virginia Consumer &
family Project.
Old acquaintances were renewed and new friends were
made in the day-long celebration.
Music was provided after the walk by a DJ and by the Whitetop Mountain
Band, a bluegrass group of local acclaim. Dancing, celebrations of
wellness, games and endless smiles were enjoyed by all. Of course, it
wouldn’t have been complete without food, which was never in scarce
supply. Food and drinks seemed to materialize out of nowhere as the
masses enjoyed an open-air picnic lunch on the grounds in front of the
VanDyke Student Center. It was the perfect pause after the march and
before the games and music.
SW Virginia Consumer & Family Project Coordinator
Judy Slayer remarked that this was such a large turnout with such great
support from E&H that plans are already being made for next years event.
She went on to say that “events like these bestow encouragement, hope
and support for so many people that the time and effort and
comparatively meager costs of such an event provide an enormous return
on the initial investment. It's just simply been a perfect day!”.
The event this year was dedicated to the memory of
Ellis W. (Wally) Cline Jr. the past Executive Director of the Mount
Rogers Community Services Board. Cline was described as “an outspoken
advocate for consumers and family who needed services. He was dedicated
to improving the quality of life for people with mental, physical and
substance abuse intervention needs. He will be missed…”. Cline died
recently after a lengthy illness.
 The
day was wrapped up around 1:30 PM with long goodbyes, promises to do it
again next year (bigger and better!) and a fond farewell to another
successful day in raising awareness and support for all people who
suffer from mental illnesses. Until next year…stay well, stay hopeful.
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