After 18 years helping others, this Spanish senior will fulfill her own dream

A resident of the Ballesol Altorreal residential care home in Molina de Segura, in the interior of the Murcia region, will fulfill one of her greatest wishes at the end of September after nearly two decades helping people with reduced mobility. Alegría Bernardino Sánchez, a senior who has accompanied more than 15 people with reduced mobility on the Camino de Santiago, a path that winds through Murcia to Santiago de Compostela, will now complete the final five kilometres to Santiago herself, while in a wheelchair.

A dedicated team behind a long-awaited journey: Alegría tackles the Camino de Santiago again

Thanks to the Ambulance of Wishes foundation, Alegría will take on the challenge on Thursday, September 24. The Murcia-based charity will transport Alegría more than 1,000 kilometres from Murcia to Santiago the day before, to help her complete the journey, now that she is in a wheelchair herself. The charity will use a special vehicle adapted for the transport of people who need medical assistance and surveillance, referred to as the Ambulance of Wishes.

During the journey, a medical team will accompany Alegría. In addition, in preparation for the challenge, she has also sought the support of psychologists, doctors, occupational therapists, and sociocultural professionals.

Loved ones and professionals to complete the journey with Alegría

Once she has arrived in the autonomous community of Galicia, where the route will take place, Alegría will bravely tackle the final five kilometres of the famed Camino de Santiago, which formed such a significant part of her life.

But Alegría will not travel alone. More than 20 residents from Ballesol centres in Galicia will join to support the initiative, along with professionals from Ballesol Altorreal, who will undergo this unique challenge by her side.

A two-decade history with the Camino de Santiago: ‘It wasn’t about pushing a wheelchair’

Long before Alegría was in a wheelchair, she was connected to the Camino de Santiago. She worked with the El Tren de la Esperanza Foundation, which helps people with reduced mobility, serious illnesses, or physical disabilities complete the route, and she also later collaborated with the Camino’s network of hospitals.

During this time, she helped more than 15 people with reduced mobility complete the challenge by pushing them along on their wheelchairs, and accompanied them to important landmarks along the route, including the Cathedral of Santiago. On some of these journeys, she travelled around 120 kilometres.

“It wasn’t about pushing a wheelchair, but about pushing a dream and making it a reality,” Alegría stated.

Experts have speculated on the emotional and psychological benefits of completing the route, as undertaking the Camino de Santiago merges physical activity, contact with nature, social relationships, a break from routine and a sense of achievement, which all contribute to emotional well-being.

The Ambulance of Wishes Foundation

The Ambulance of Wishes, which is based in the Region of Murcia, is a non-profit organisation that helps to make the wishes of people with reduced mobility, or serious or chronic illnesses, come true. According to the organisation, more than a hundred wishes a year are granted in different parts of Spain, with more than 150 volunteers and three ambulances working to make the dreams a reality.

Alegría, Spanish for ‘joy’

Finally, after nearly two decades of working to spread joy and make others’ dreams come true, Alegría will now be the one making her own journey, surrounded by loved ones and support from the Region of Murcia and beyond.