‘29 Gifts’ Author Visits St. Joseph’s Academy
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St. Joseph’s Academy welcomed New York Times bestselling author Cami Walker to speak on February 15. Walker wrote 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life which the SJA student body, faculty and staff read as part of the summer’s One Book, One Community program.
“Getting sick helped me to learn that I need others, and we are meant to be connected to the world. We can do together what we can’t do alone.” Cami Walker, author
Junior Alexandra Montes de Oca was so inspired by the book’s message that she felt compelled to reach out to Walker. After their communication, the wheels were officially set in motion to bring Walker to talk with the SJA community.
Montes de Oca introduced Walker to the crowd by describing how her message resonated with the mission of the Congregation of St. Joseph. “I fell in love with the idea of giving to others,” she said. “Her main points work hand-in-hand with the current charism theme of SJA, which is to serve the dear neighbor.”
A former advertising executive and writer, Walker was living in San Francisco in 2006 when she began experiencing tingling and numbness in her limbs coupled with ongoing fatigue. Although physicians believed her symptoms to be a result of stress, her eventual diagnosis was life-changing: She had multiple sclerosis. She went on to spend much of early 2007 in the hospital and fell into a deep depression. Her marriage suffered along with her quality of life, health and attitude.
Embittered by her diagnosis, Walker was hosting a self-described “pity party” when her mentor Mbali, a South African medicine woman, challenged her. “She told me to ‘give away 29 gifts in 29 days,’” Walker said. “Rather than feeding my self-obsession and anger, she pushed me to channel all of that negative energy into positive.” Although skeptical, Walker eventually conceded to Mbali’s suggestion and committed to 29 days of giving. She felt her life begin to change and improve in remarkable ways.
Walker’s book encourages small, ordinary gifts such as devoting time to prayer or giving free time to neighbors and charitable organizations. She advocates mindful, intentional giving. While she does not claim that giving has cured her MS, she does believe that it has revolutionized her life and outlook. “Before, I was isolated and alone,” she said. “I was paralyzed by my disease. Giving changed my life. It didn’t cure me or fix me, but it’s given me a positive way to stay centered in the world. When I’m operating from a place of giving to others, I feel grace flowing in every area of my life.”
On the 29th day of her journey, Walker decided to share her gift with the world and launched www.29gifts.org. Since its creation, more than 12,000 people have joined the community and committed to intentional giving. Some of the members’ accomplishments include raising money for wells in Africa, funding international humanitarian missions and assisting those in need with medical expenses. Today, Walker continues to write and travels as a motivational speaker. She has helped to raise more than $500,000 for the MS Society. A screenplay of 29 Gifts is currently in development.
Following her talk, students were given the opportunity to ask questions about her life today and her ongoing struggles. Junior Anne Kellerman, whose life has been affected by MS, asked what advice Walker would give to those facing the disease. “I would encourage people who are sick or struggling to focus on what you are capable of and the gifts you can give to the world, rather than focusing on your limitations,” she said. “Getting sick helped me to learn that I need others, and we are meant to be connected to the world. We can do together what we can’t do alone.”
After the question-and-answer session, students were invited to have Walker sign their books and to chat more about her experiences.
Kacie Fuselier
Marketing Manager
Photos by Callie Limes
Date posted: February 15, 2012