Reviews

     "When readers learn that author Martin McCorkle has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and backpacked 1,700 miles through California, they might guess that they're in for another one of 'those' stories.
     "Yet, this well-written, honest, autobiographical take skillfully avoids the pitfall of the 'man triumphs over disability' cliche.  In fact, this book provides a superb examination of how McCorkle discovered some unlikely places where he 'belonged' in life - especially the California wilderness.
     "His monumental walk from Mexico to Oregon via the Pacific Crest Trail parallels McCorkle's real-life voyage to spiritual awakening and self-awareness.  The journey spans much more than rugged miles:  It climbs across the voyage from youth to manhood, from single guy to family man; and yes, it charts his unending quest to live fully despite CMT.
     "Walk With Me beautifully chronicles one man's deep appreciation for nature's beauty and includes plenty of drama and fun to keep the reader glued to McCorkle's adventure and rooting for his success."

Quest
May-June 2005
 

     "Books written by people with CMT are rare enough that I would be tempted to read them no matter what the topic might be.  When I was approached by the author to read a book about someone who hikes, I thought the book would be interesting, but not likely to appeal to me in any real sense.  I was very wrong.  This book is such an interesting and compelling story, not just what the experience of hiking and viewing nature might hold, but more so, a story of a man's life and how he has handled various challenges, disappoints, and successes. 
     "The book begins with a challenging hiking scenario, but quickly flashes back to his experience with his first EMG (electromyogram) and the pain of needle pricks and electrical stabs.  From that point on, the book alternates between memories of dealing with CMT as a child, young adult, and current 50-something and the love of nature which has permeated Martin's life from childhood on.
     "He says in an early chapter, 'Kids can be cruel.  And they were from time to time.  But my memories of dealing with CMT as a child are mostly filled with astonishing acts of kindness and understanding from my friends and my school.'
     "As the book progresses, so does Martin's life, his ministry and the problems with CMT.  At times, hiking was forsaken altogether, but the pull of the Pacific trails stayed with him.  In dark times, he experienced too many falls and bloody knees.  Still, he made bargains with himself about his hiking and his CMT. 
     "One of my favorite sections of the book is the one in which he almost, but not quite, concedes to the progression of CMT and gives up his dream of completing the Pacific Crest Trail.  He admits that it would be easy to give in and just enjoy his home, his family, and his sofa, but then he realizes one thing could give him the desire to defy CMT again-this need to go back to Lookout Rock and walk the rest of the way to Oregon on the Pacific Crest Trail.  He writes, 'The Pacific Crest Trail is more than scenery-she is one of my life's few true passions...If I quit living, what good am I?  For every year that I defy CMT, I have another active year with my loved ones.  God placed a love for this trail in my heart for such a time as this.  I needed a strong love to work against a strong foe.'
     "I won't divulge how this book ends, but I will say that reading it is well worth your time and money.  I was uplifted, and deeply satisfied, when, with Martin, I came to the end of his journey."

Pat Dreibelbis
CMTA Report 
November/December 2004
 

     “Wilderness adventure books are popular, for good reason. But some of the world's most heart-pounding and heart-rending stories don't involve super-fit athletes scaling Tibet's highest mountains, enduring Antarctica's cold or the like. Sometimes the most compelling adventures involve people like you and me - or like Martin McCorkle, a man with a genetic disability that shouldn't allow him to even enter the wilderness, much less master it and survive to tell the tale.
     “This is a beautiful book, more full of real life, personality, and the romance of the outdoors than many a bestseller about climbing Everest or leading famous voyages of exploration. I've read those books. They were exciting, but this book captured my heart.”

Richard Wilkinson
Managing Editor, CUA Magazine
 

     "Walk With Me is the story of one man’s life with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, commonly called CMT, detailing his 1,700-mile walk along the Pacific Crest Trail.  I understand how hard it is for Martin to walk 1,700 miles, because I too have CMT. 
     "On another hike, Martin took a group into the Grand Canyon.  He walked out while the rest of his party flew out by helicopter.  At Devil’s Lake, he stumbles along the trail like an 80-year-old man and grapples with the devastation of his CMT.  He faces tough questions.  Should he surrender to the onslaught of CMT or fight back?  When he is awakened by a mountain lion in northern California, what should he do in his condition?  Read Walk With Me and you’ll be on an adventure like you’ve never imagined. 
     "I hold Martin’s adventure with much admiration.  It took determination, perseverance and down right guts to do what he accomplished."

Wes Gustafson
CMT patient
 

     "I’m a big fan of armchair hiking; I’m sure that for many CMT’ers, any other kind of hiking is out of the question; but for some a stroll in the woods or a walk in the park with the dogs is still an option.  Whether you are a relatively fit CMT’er or are confined to a chair, you cannot help but be impressed by the dedication Martin McCorkle has for hiking ‘The Great Outdoors’.  Neither can you fail to be gripped by his exciting adventures (there really is no other word for what happens!) in a wild landscape not often found in Britain.
     "Martin was diagnosed with CMT as a child and has had numerous operations.  For years, despite the steady decline we all learn to live with, he has refused to give up his passion for walking, a passion sparked by his friend Don in the year before graduation.  My favourite paragraph in the book appears early on, but it left me nodding in agreement:

Another reason I backpacked was because I could.  I couldn’t run or do anything that required any real balance or grace.  But backpacking is a lumbering sort of activity.  I could lumber.  Everyone walks slowly with a pack.  Everyone feels a little gimpy when they get to camp.  Whenever I was with a group of ten or so packers, there was always someone who had bad blisters or an ill-fitting pack, who hobbled around worse than I did.

And every time I moved my axe gave way in the snow.  I could not hold on for much longer.  Somehow, I don’t remember how, I got back up to Pat’s steps.  With a sigh, I started again only to fall again five steps later.  Now I was really scared.  I cried out to Pat.  I prayed for strength as I hung on to Mather Pass.  I was tired.  I didn’t know what to do.

Food bags were scattered everywhere.  Brian was the first to speak.
"He got all my sandwiches"
"What were they made of?"
"Peanut butter and honey.")

The third road is surrender.  Just give up.  CMT was going to win.  Why not just admit defeat and let go?  I was only fooling myself to think that compromise or defiance was possible.  Get out the cane.  Buy a new house with a single floor.  Get the gimp sticker for my car.  Dust off the wheelchair.  Move to a warm climate and quit the fight.  I’d fought long enough...I made myself a deal I would defy CMT for 15 years.  I would give my best shot at being the family man I needed to be.  I would choose to fight and fight hard.

Naomi Perilli
ComMenT Newsletter