Cape Argus

Walking off those stresses or addictions

- SHAKIRAH THEBUS shakirah.thebus@inl.co.za

IN CELEBRATIO­N of recoveries from all sort of addictions and stresses, Recovery Walk Cape Town will host its annual walk this weekend.

The seventh Recovery Walk will take place tomorrow at 11am at Maynardvil­le Park.

Recovery Walk Cape Town has been organising events that promote and celebrate recovery from all forms of addictions and mental distresses, with its annual event to celebrate recovery from alcoholism, addictions and mental illnesses.

The Recover Walk Cape Town committee is made up of volunteers who are either in recovery themselves, are healthcare profession­als, or both.

Occupation­al therapist Debbie Bub said the Recovery Walk shows people still battling addictions and mental illness that recovery is possible.

“The Recovery Walk sounds a strong message of hope and encouragem­ent. It also provides a platform for those many, many people in recovery to come out and celebrate their own and others’ recovery. It’s a space supportive of recovery, which is too often hard to find in our everyday life,” she said.

Bub said people were becoming more open and public about their own recovery.

“The purpose is to re-frame the bleak narrative that we often hear about mental illnesses and addiction. The Recovery Walk celebrates the recovery of countless individual­s who have found various ways to tackle their addiction and mental illnesses. They are an immense resource, benefiting many in their families and communitie­s. The Cape Town Recovery Walk committee would like to see recovery being far more recognised, spoken about and supported. Our society needs recovery,” said Bub.

The public is encouraged to bring along picnic items and games, with various activities, including childfrien­dly activities for the whole family available on the day.

Jenny Chadwick has been involved in the Recovery Walk since its inception in 2014.

“As a person in long-term recovery, I am inspired and driven to be part of an event that celebrates recovery from alcoholism, addictions and mental illnesses. We connect up with Internatio­nal Recovery Month, September, where organisati­ons and groups around the world get together to celebrate recovery. Being in recovery is not a requiremen­t. Being supportive of recovery is,” she said.

For more informatio­n, contact 084 734 2202 or email recoverywa­lkcapetown@gmail.com

 ??  ?? THE seventh annual Recovery Walk will take place at 11am on Saturday at Maynardvil­le Park.
THE seventh annual Recovery Walk will take place at 11am on Saturday at Maynardvil­le Park.

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