The beginning

And so it is the beginning of the 47th therapeutic adventure expedition of the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation. In fact, for some, the adventure had begun the day before since participants from coast to coast were flying in for the expedition and were meeting this morning in a hotel lobby near Dorval; it must have been around 8:30. They all decided to take part in the project for different reasons, such as curiosity, a desire for adventure, to meet new people who have experienced similar situations, to simply have a good time or for unknown or personal reasons. It takes a lot of courage just for having said yes to this proposal of sleeping in the woods, no shower, no phone and getting up on chilly March mornings!

In short, we introduced each other and then had to play “Tetrix” in order to pack the numerous luggage in the minibus. To think that soon, dogs will be pulling it all along with 14 participants and 9 team members! We pass from a few hundred horsepower to 70-80 dogs! Finally, all eventually fitted into the van, even the mood of our Max-the-jukebox driver who entertained us throughout the day. He made us sing in exchange for donuts. We discovered a few back vocalists with talent or vacation camp counselors, as well as new songs – about worms in straws that perhaps ended tragically but on a moral note – to add to the repertoire. Then we stopped at the St-Hubert restaurant to eat and, while digesting that good meal, we arrived at St-Aimé-des-Lacs, located in the heart of a glacial valley on the edge of a lake. Subsequently, our therapeutic adventure facilitator and project manager Catherine distributed the equipment, explained how to use it and gave us her precious fashion tips – see today’s pictures! After supper, we talked together to get to know each other, through an activity in which participants are asked to identify with an animal to describe themselves. We learned with surprise that Keira is perceived as an armadillo and Nolan as a cougar; they will make an interesting sleigh team, won’t they!? Then the conversation smoothly stirred towards the principle of respect; everyone was agreed that this was the key to the success of this expedition, which leads us to believe that it will, once again, be a great one!

Finally, it seems easier that way, eating, singing songs on a bus, talk and playing cards; but, everyone is exhausted. And there is also the wind blowing hard outside, it will be a particularly cold night to snuggle under the covers. We have the privilege of spending the night in warm and comfortable cabins. See you all tomorrow for new adventures!

Isabelle Robinson, blogger and photographer for the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation.