Walk a Mile: Tales of a Wandering Loon to launch on Time to Talk Day 1st Feb

Posted by See Me, 15 January 2018

People are fabulous. 

Isn’t it lovely that See Me and Time To Change have got together to run Time To Talk Day on the same date that my book, ‘Walk a Mile: Tales of a Wandering Loon’ is having a launch do at Blackwell’s in Edinburgh? 

 I’d like to say this was planned, but it’s a Christmas miracle! It might as well be, my powers of coordination are, at best, uncoordinated.

 Isn’t it lovely that on the very day these two organisations, covering Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England, are extolling the virtues talking when we’ve been struck by a mental malady, we’re celebrating Walk a Mile - a book that has demonstrated time and again that people are fabulous and ready to talk... about anything really. 

We just need to give them the opportunity. 

I’m a middle aged man, usually dressed in a kilt, who looks more than a little like a bouncer in a skirt, with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, who has walked anti clockwise around a chunk of the UK - from Edinburgh to Porthmadog in North Wales so far, 5,500 miles, give or take, relying purely on the fine people I meet for hospitality - to help me on my way. 

I can cheerfully report that I’ve had no bad experiences from the people I’ve met on my way. 

No... bad... experiences... give that a little time to sink in. 

I was so delighted with how things had gone, that I got together with See Me, to distil the obvious success of the walk into a series of events around Scotland to bring together thousands of people with a lived experience of mental ill health, carers, professionals, friends and family to literally walk a mile in each other’s shoes - and it’s been a blast. 

As I journey south, we’re hoping to bring the events and the conversation to the rest of the UK. 

So, on the 1st of February this year - get involved! Talk and listen. My mum always said you have 2 ears and one mouth for a reason! 

Remember though - you might get involved on the day - you might read the book - you might come to the book launch at Blackwell’s Edinburgh between 6.30-8.00pm 

This isn’t an end in itself. This is only the beginning. Your job is simple - keep talking.

I’ll see you at Blackwell’s in Edinburgh. 

You can get a copy of Chris' book here.