Nature can be a place that truly gives serenity. The environment, the fresh air are useful for everyone for their health. But it can happen that they also become a tool for good therapy for sick patients and their families. And this is what is happening in Sicily. Here was born a project that we could define as "mountain therapy" for cancer patients. A concrete example of how relief can be offered to people who have greater difficulties. The agreement was born from an idea put together by the CAI, the Italian Alpine Club and the city of Erice, one of the most fascinating places in western Sicily, in the province of Trapani.
The walks
The itineraries promoted around the Erice area are promoted by the CAI in collaboration with the associations of cancer patients against physical and mental stress. The club is active in the areas of Erice and Agro ericino. Routes are organized, walks in the mountains, for cancer patients against the physical and mental stress that unfortunately arises from the disease and therapies. Help for those who suffer but also for families, who in these cases also need adequate support. In Sicily it is the first experimental mountain therapy project launched. The Cai is organizing it in agreement with the ASP, the provincial health agency, and the Art, the Cancer Registry Association of Trapani. Furthermore, an operational collaboration has been started with the Municipality of Erice and the former Forestry Property in order to make the most of the nature trails.
How mountain therapy paths for cancer patients take place
"It is a structured project with a medical-scientific collaboration of the ASP - Vincenzo Fazio, president of the Section of Erice of the Italian Alpine Club-. We at the CAI take care of training guides and planning itineraries, suitable for the target of patients and with moments of group therapy carried out in the natural environment.". Accompanying and assisting patients are the environmental guides of the Cai and health professionals. After a first start last autumn, now with the arrival of spring the itineraries start again.
"An experience that gives a sense of consortium and solidarity towards others - said the regional president of Cai Francesco Lo Cascio ”. "It is said - Fazio explained - that whoever makes it in the mountains can make it in life. We want to network with the other sections of the CAI to improve the project, drawing on the good practices implemented so far".
From Erice to other locations
But not only the mountains around Erice. In fact, the project aims to grow. The idea is to create a dozen new itineraries, between the areas of the Trapani area. However, aiming not only at the mountains but also at wooded areas to experience "forest therapy". To fully enjoy the clean mountain air, but also relax by practicing yoga and medical Qi gong. But be careful to call it a simple one walk in the wood. Because it is necessary to follow very specific protocols, for this there are doctors and assistants. The path is in fact therapeutic and rehabilitative and is designed and calibrated on the characteristics of the patients. In this way, therefore, the resources of nature are at the service of the well-being of fragile people.
And we hope it can become a stable appointment. Not only in the areas of western Sicily but also in other splendid hilly areas of the island.
