Salem Saunterer achieves new PB
Disabled McLeod conquers feat
There was a warm Sibuya and Sunshine Coast Tourism welcome for Jack ‘The Salem Saunterer’ McLeod as he reached the reserve’s reception area in Kenton-OnSea at about 4pm on Friday November 25 – a full 12 hours after his pre-dawn start from Salem.
“That’s my personal best,” he said, smiling broadly.
Every step he walks is a special achievement for McLeod – three years ago he couldn’t walk at all.
The 66-year-old semi-retired aviation and corporate finance executive and property professional with Hamiltons in Kenton is disabled from a virus called Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that has left him with permanent nerve damage in his lower limbs and feet.
A broken tibia and fibula as a result of having no feeling in his feet, and
tripping and falling, added to his challenge.
But in three years, he has managed to get out of a wheelchair, first graduating to a walker, then crutches, and now finally walking with the aid of a stick.
He and an old Rhodes University friend, David Bristow, earlier this year
completed a marathon distance (42.2km) walk from Salem, where he lives, to the Pig and Whistle in Bathurst.
This was a personal best (PB) for him.
His new challenge was a walk from Salem to Kenton, finishing at the reception office of Sibuya Game Reserve in Eastbourne Road, Kenton.
By completing this distance, he set a new PB.
Wife Margie McLeod seconded him with meals on the move, and for the last few kilometres, he was accompanied by Sibuya anti-poaching partners Justin Fox and nine-month-old Belgian Malenois pup in training, Ollie.
At Sibuya there were cheers and
smiles, and (non-alcoholic) sparkling wine, as Sibuya and Sunshine Coast Tourism staff celebrated the Salem Saunterer’s latest achievement.
McLeod has invited anyone who is inspired by his story to contribute to the Sibuya Rhino Foundation via the link