Woman spreading message on 'American walkabout'

~ Walker set off in late November with a mission to let people know that any life is worthwhile.

HAYS, Kan. -- Four months after walking out of Hays with the help of her assistance dog Justice, Phyllis Burdge has returned from her trek to Florida and other states.

The former Hays woman, who uses her black Labrador retriever to counterbalance her as she walks, set off in late November with a mission to let people know that any life is worthwhile, no matter what challenges it brings.

"It's not about the number of miles we've walked. It's about doing what you can," Burdge said.

Justice, who developed an occasional limp during the voyage Burdge calls her "American Walkabout," curled up at Burdge's feet. Burdge said a veterinarian recently took X-rays of Justice and the films are being reviewed to see if the dog has developed arthritis or if something else is causing her to limp.

During her travels, Burdge spoke to many people, both during scheduled and chance encounters.

"People would see our van with our banner. People would stop us and tell us their stories," Burdge said.

One of those encounters, and the lesson about hidden blessings in adversity, sticks in Burdge's mind.

"I spoke to a doctor in a coffee shop. The doctor had multiple sclerosis and had to stop practicing," Burdge said.

He missed out on being able to spend time with his daughter during her growing-up years, but now gets to spend time with his son.

"It seems to me we're too often put in cubby holes. You're 'elderly' or you're 'disabled' or you're 'needy,"' Burdge said.

She said she expected to meet many people during her walkabout who felt devalued.

"What I did not expect was to encounter kids who felt devalued," she said.

While in Memphis, Tenn., she visited with Civil Rights Museum. She was given a paperweight with a meaningful motto on it: "One person can gently shake the world."

"I am doing that," Burdge said.

Burdge and Justice didn't walk as many miles during their walkabout as originally expected, so Burdge said she doesn't believe Justice's limp is because of the rigors of the trip. Nevertheless, Burdge might not walk very much when she and Justice continue taking their message to other places they have been invited to go.

"I don't know if we'll be doing walking. That probably will depend on Justice," she said.

More likely, Justice will ride a specially made trailer that Burdge pulls behind her bicycle.

"That's not just her taking care of me, but both of us taking care of each other," she said.