Around the world, while there’s still time

It was a journey of 384 days, spanning 13 countries. For a little over a year, Edith Lemay and her husband, Sébastien Pelletier, have shown the beauty of the world to their four children, three of whom have retinitis pigmentosa, while they are still capable.



The idea of ​​a world tour had always been in Edith Lemay’s mind. Seeing, over the years, that Mia, 12, Colin, 7, and Laurent, 5, were living with a rare degenerative eye disease causing progressive loss of sight is what gave him a sense of urgency. Leo, 10 years old, was obviously also part of the plan.

Retinitis pigmentosa, transmitted genetically, normally begins to affect its patients from adolescence. It first damages peripheral vision, as if one “could only see through a straw”, before making one completely blind in their 30s or 40s.


PHOTO PROVIDED BY EDITH LEMAY

A short dip in the sun in a natural pool, at the Spitzkoppe campsite, in Namibia

That’s why we had to leave. We had to allow Mia, Colin and Laurent to see what the Earth had to offer, we had to fill their heads with good memories. It was a plan originally planned for July 2020, which had to wait until March 2022 to materialize due to the pandemic context.

“It was above our expectations, says Edith Lemay in an interview. It was unclear how the children would adapt and react. They were good travelers. The landscapes were of course magnificent, but I will also remember the encounters we had: that was the less planned part, the friendships we made along the way. »

  • The little family went sandboarding in the desert near Walvis Bay, Namibia.

    PHOTO PROVIDED BY EDITH LEMAY

    The little family made sandboarding in the desert near Walvis Bay, Namibia.

  • The journey began with Africa.  Zebras are seen here in Etosha Park, Namibia.

    PHOTO PROVIDED BY EDITH LEMAY

    The journey began with Africa. Zebras are seen here in Etosha Park, Namibia.

  • Impromptu encounter with a camel in Masirah Island, Oman

    PHOTO PROVIDED BY EDITH LEMAY

    Impromptu encounter with a camel in Masirah Island, Oman

  • Supper time in front of one of the accommodations where the family slept, in Namibia

    PHOTO PROVIDED BY EDITH LEMAY

    Supper time in front of one of the accommodations where the family slept, in Namibia

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From Africa to Asia

Beginning their journey in four African countries (Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania) and without having foreseen where they would end their journey, the family then took the road to Turkey, before visiting the steppes of Mongolia.

She continued on her way up Southeast Asia through Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. Passages in the mountains of Nepal and Oman, then a visit to the sacred lands of Egypt served as a conclusion to this extraordinary itinerary.

From all this experience, what will the children remember? Their mother believes that she will find out “in the coming months, the next few years”.

“But what I especially saw is that they have developed a great capacity for adaptation. It’s something they’re going to need. »


PHOTO PROVIDED BY EDITH LEMAY

At Mohare Danda, during a trek in the Annapurnas, Nepal. Behind, we can see several peaks, including Machapuchare, the sacred mountain.

We were leaving with the objective of filling their visual memory and it didn’t become secondary, but everything they learned, like being resilient or adapting… it was not planned and we quickly realized realize that it was going to be very valuable. They were embarrassed, but gradually the culture barrier dissipated.

Edith Lemay, about her children

Do good

In order to keep her loved ones informed, Edith Lemay has created Facebook and Instagram pages entitled “Full their eyes”, where she has regularly posted photos and stories related to the trip over the past few months. Today, the Instagram account has more than 100,000 followers — and has earned it media requests around the globe.


PHOTO PROVIDED BY EDITH LEMAY

Spectacular view of Padar Island in Indonesia

“I didn’t expect that at all,” she admits. Some people go on a trip with the intention of becoming influencers, but that was never my goal. »

“People who subscribed, it was precious, because it forced me to write and classify my photos. Without it, I’m not sure I would have had the discipline to do it. It forced me to document my trip, and there I find myself a year later with an extraordinary memory for my children. »

The messages received were numerous, and from all walks of life. Some confided to her that they were great travel enthusiasts, parents were touched by their story, others had loved ones also living with retinitis pigmentosa, and others finally offered her accommodation in their country or simply thanked her for having told snippets of his story.

  • Edith Lemay has created Facebook and Instagram pages to share photos of her trip and her experiences.  Here is a smiley photo taken in Bhaktapur, Nepal, during the Holi festival.

    PHOTO PROVIDED BY EDITH LEMAY

    Edith Lemay has created Facebook and Instagram pages to share photos of her trip and her experiences. Here is a smiley photo taken in Bhaktapur, Nepal, during the Holi festival.

  • Mia, 12, dances in the Sugar Dunes of Oman.

    PHOTO PROVIDED BY EDITH LEMAY

    Mia, 12, dances in the Sugar Dunes of Oman.

  • Marvel at the Bangkok Flower Market

    PHOTO PROVIDED BY EDITH LEMAY

    Marvel at the Bangkok Flower Market

  • The children pose in front of the pyramids with Ahmed, who served as the family's guide.

    PHOTO PROVIDED BY EDITH LEMAY

    The children pose in front of the pyramids with Ahmed, who served as the family’s guide.

  • The famous Dune 45 in Sossusvlei, Namibia

    PHOTO PROVIDED BY EDITH LEMAY

    The famous Dune 45 in Sossusvlei, Namibia

  • The small family visits a rice field in the island of Flores, Indonesia.

    PHOTO PROVIDED BY EDITH LEMAY

    The small family visits a rice field in the island of Flores, Indonesia.

  • A whale carcass on a deserted beach in Oman

    PHOTO PROVIDED BY EDITH LEMAY

    A whale carcass on a deserted beach in Oman

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“I find it fun. The story picks people up, but everyone gets a positive out of it that may be a little different from the others. »

When we asked her to send us her favorite photos for publication, Edith Lemay shared an album that contained more than 700. “It’s my way of dealing with their diagnosis,” she said.

“I have a strong feeling of helplessness. I like to be in the action, to find a solution. It’s hard not being able to do anything but wait, with the disease. But the trip was really beneficial as a parent. »


PHOTO PROVIDED BY EDITH LEMAY

Taking pictures is a way for Edith Lemay to learn to accept her children’s diagnosis. Here, a sunrise in the Himalayas, in Poon Hill, Nepal.

The photos, they will see them for a long time. Their field of vision is the immense landscapes that they will lose first. But the photos will crystallize the memories in their head, and they will be able to see them for longer.

Edith Lemay, about her children

Back in the Boucherville family nest since April 8, Edith Lemay still has her mind elsewhere.

“The children are going back to school, they are super happy. It’s a daily return. We have to finish undoing the boxes, we have to find a routine. But we’re not super good at routine, so it doesn’t change us, she laughs. Our heart is still on a journey. »

The message in this whole story? Edith Lemay has often heard the question. “You can feel sorry for yourself and get depressed, but if you accept what’s happening to you, it’s easier to move on to the next step. You have to try to make something beautiful with the beauty you have in your life. »


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