Calvin Grad Hiking in Spain to Raise Awareness for MS

In an interview with Calvin College professors Cynthia Slagter and Otto Selles for the “Camino De Santiago Pilgrimage” interim trip this May, Katie Slemp had a major concern.

The trip consists of a three-week hike on the 500-kilometer Camino De Santiago route in Spain. Slemp and 14 other students would be walking approximately 12 miles a day. As an avid hiker, this trip would have normally been cut out perfectly for Slemp.

However, in November 2013, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. “When I got the diagnosis, I thought I’d have to stop doing what I love—hiking,” she said.

Despite this tremendous setback, Slemp hasn’t let MS get in the way of her passion for hiking. She went on the Wilderness Orientation trip before her freshman year at Calvin and the 2015 Hawaii interim trip, which both included hiking.

As a 2016 Calvin graduate, Slemp is determined to finish her Calvin experience doing what she loves in Spain.

After much consideration, guidance and hope, Slemp decided to go on the trip, which is from May 22 to June 15. She will be resting frequently throughout each day and taking frequent breaks to rest her legs.

Not only did Slemp decide to go on the trip, she also decided to use it as a fundraising opportunity to raise awareness for MS.

As of late May,  Slemp had raised $570 for MS awareness. “I didn’t want to set a goal. This money has already exceeded my expectations,” she said. “It is great to see the support that people have given for this disease.”

Slemp came into Calvin as a pre-vet/biochemistry major, but due to her travels and exploration of other cultures, she decided to pursue linguistics.

“Language [is] one of the great things in life that allows me to be hospitable,” she said. “Language has especially allowed me to be helpful to others. I hope to learn more languages as well.”

After the trip, Slemp will be applying for a nine-month linguistic masters program in Leonne, Spain.

For more information on Slemp's journey, visit www.facebook.com/caminoms.

A similar journey

Glenn Remelts, after retiring this year from the Hekman Library at Calvin College, will also be hiking and biking this summer to raise awareness for MS in honor of his wife, Nancy, who has MS.

He will be traveling 525 miles from the Colorado/Wyoming border, following the Continental Divide Trail, to the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Eleven people will be joining Remelts throughout the trek, including his son, Nick, and daughter, Sarah. Nancy will join for a mile or two near the end of the trip.

Remelts says his wife's health has improved the last few years, and she's walking normally. “Because of Nancy’s tenacity, exercise, the random nature of MS, and God’s handiwork, she rebounded and is walking well!” he said.

“When the idea came to me last summer to hike and bike 525 miles to raise money to fight MS, I knew it was the right thing to do during my first year of retirement. Since then, that sense of ‘rightness’ has only increased. This is what we need to do!” Remelts said.

For more information on Remelts’ journey, visit www.facebook.com/ms525.org.