Kenya, A Mountain to Climb - Book Review

As many of you who read this blog regularly will know, I suffer with mental illness. I have a diagnosis of depression and anxiety, which was first made almost ten years ago. Unlike some people, I know my diagnosis is a 'forever' condition. My father suffers and so does my youngest daughter. For some of us, there is an hereditary element. In some ways, I'd rather that, it makes it easier for me to manage. I'm able to identify my triggers and let those close to me know my triggers, enabling myself, and others, to rein me in when necessary and practise some self care. I'm lucky, to have a fabulous next door neighbour, an amazing fiance and two wonderful daughters, who tell me to take a break when they can see I'm taking on too much.

I also have some awesome friends on Twitter, people who got me through my darkest days and to the place I am now in; which is a place where I work my wee butt off to raise awareness of mental illness and try to help people living with a diagnosis, or caring for someone, to cope and seek help. Hence, when I saw that Rod Wood was looking for people to review his latest book, I jumped at the chance.

Rod is a vet by profession. Some years ago, he was fighting his own battle with depression and was encouraged by a good friend to fulfil a lifetimes ambition to climb Kilimanjaro. In his latest book, 'Kenya, A Mountain to Climb,' we find Rod itching to get back to the African continent he has fallen in love with and setting himself a new challenge.

Now it's worth saying here, that I too was a bit of a climber, back in the day, something my ballet teacher was not at all happy with, but it is a fabulous sport. It's a discipline that forces you to trust yourself and others around you, and they, you. This can be a major hurdle for anyone suffering with depression, because trust is not something the illness allows you to do, and it certainly doesn't want anyone putting their trust in you. So Rod really was challenging himself on that first climb and congratulations to him for overcoming his obstacles and for taking on this latest journey.

This time round, Rod returns, not only to climb Mount Kenya, but also to go on safari and see the wildlife up close and personal. Maybe that's not the best description, no one really wants to get up close and personal with a wild animal, particularly if it happens to have sharp teeth, or a horn, or tusks, or just happens to be a very grumpy hippo, but you get the idea, I hope. Anyway, having digressed, let's return to Rod. We join him on his journey at the planning stage, then follow him through some gruelling training walks in preparation for his imminent climb, and through to the main story, travelling to Africa and living his latest adventure through his descriptions of the landscapes, people, wildlife and the challenges they all face in a country where global warming really is having a serious impact already. On his journey he meets some cheeky wildlife, learns about the locals, meets some interesting fellow tourists and reconnects with the mountain that changed his life.

I will admit, it did take me longer to read than I had anticipated, and I think this is largely due to myself not being accustomed to reading autobiographies. I have a number of them in my bookcase, all of which are partially read, but I was determined to finish Rod's story because we have so much in common and I'm so glad I did. Rod has rebuilt himself, his life and his outlook.

It's difficult to review Rod's story without giving away too much, but what I can say is this, Rod's passion for Kenya, her mountains and wildlife really come across strongly. I have never visited the African continent and am sure, as much as I would love to, that I ever will, but Rod's detailed descriptions paint pictures and atmosphere that make you feel as though you too are getting to know this fascinating land. Through his conversations with the local people, you will learn about the agriculture, politics and conservation concerns. You will also learn about it's rich wildlife and the threats they face from global warming and from man. Lastly, but most importantly, you can gain an insight into the life that can be led following recovery from mental illness. The strength and resilience one gains from winning the battle with ones own mind, and the determination to succeed.

If you have an interest in wildlife, Africa, mountains and mental health, this is definitely worth giving a go. I'm glad I persisted and I'm even more glad to see the person Rod has become. It is so easy to lose hope and feel that recovery will never come when you are lost in that dark lonely place that is depression, but stories like Rod's are proof that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It may take time, in fact it will, but like climbing a mountain, you have to prepare, train, research and take one small step at a time.

If you are suffering with mental illness and need help, please do contact any of the services detailed below:

Mind https://www.mind.org.uk

Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org/

Time to Change https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/

Young Minds https://youngminds.org.uk/