Dr. Klein of Orlando, Fl
Walks Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James is the pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the apostle Saint James the Greater are buried. The French Route is the most widely travelled, and spans 500 miles from France over the Pyrenees, across the entire north of Spain.
El Camino de Santiago is the most popular Christian pilgrim route in the world, and has been a spiritual journey for saints and sinners for over a thousand years. Although the numbers of “perigrinos” has increased tenfold over the past 10 years, it is still less than half the estimated during the medieval period.
“The Way” a 2012 movie stars Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez and introduced many Americans to the Camino, telling the story of Tom, a doctor who must travel to Spain to bring back his son Daniel, who had been killed in an accident. Tom learns that his son had fallen while hiking the Camino, and soon embarks on the journey himself. Please view movie trailers here and here.
The movie proved forboding for Dr. Bill Klein, an Orlando, FL veterinarian, who watched it with his 19 year old son Cullen the night before he left to study in China. They agreed to hike the Camino together in 2014, when Cullen would be finished with his masters degree.
However, just three weeks later, while in China, William Cullen Klein was tragically killed in an accident on May 17, 2012.
Dr. Klein began his Camino without his son on April 16th, 2013 and was joined by his wife Sharon along the way on May 10th. They entered the Cathedral of Santiago on May 17, 2013. Follow along (start here), and feel free to leave lots of comments.
A scholarship fund has been started in Cullen’s memory, and was funded in part by pledges of monetary support for each of the 490.3 miles walked on the Camino. Although that pilgrimage is completed, the fund is only about halfway to being endowed. All contributions have been placed in the scholarship, and did not support the Camino itself. We continue to ask for and are so thankful for support. If unable to provide monetary support, please spread the word, and keep Dr. Klein and the entire Klein family in your prayers.
To donate, either:
- complete pledge form: Camino Pledge PDF, or Camino Pledge 1(word doc)
- You may also donate with a paypal account, including CREDIT CARD:
- eMail Dr. Klein at: dogtorbill@aol.com
- or leave a message on his voice mail at 321-794-1322
Not Alone on my Camino 
Bill, can’t describe the depth, courage and beauty I feel when I read your blog. Cullen will be with you every step of the way as will many others…. including me. love to you and sharon, jamie
LikeLike
Dear Bill,
I don’t do this! I came upon your blog by accident! Your story is so touching. It is so very sad what happened to your son, William Cullen Klein. May God bless you and your Family. May his soul rest in peace. In your Camino I pray, that God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus will walk with you, comfort your loss and give a deeper meaning and purpose to all that life has meant thus far, to you and all your Family. I admire your strength and courage – Your hope and journey will not be in vain. Your Camino is already done! God Bless you all.
Vince Shalom
Wales
United Kingdom
LikeLike
Thanks for reading my blog. I’m only now doing so for the first time after returning.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing your blog with us
. We lost our two year old grandson seany April 30th last year, if it wasn’t for our faith it would of been unbearable.They said he died fron sudc unexplained death in children.He went to bed and never woke up.I find your Journey very uplifting thank yoi
LikeLike
Dr. Klein,
I doubt you remember me but you were the man that caught my Boxer Samson’s cancer when no one else would have even noticed a problem. That was over a year ago now and thanks to you I’ve been able to cherish each and every day as if it were his last. By some crazy miracle he’s still with us (though fading) and was looked after by your wonderful staff last weekend as I went away for my birthday. When I dropped him off and heard about your trip I just had to check it out. I must say, I’m humbled and inspired by your journey. I know to compare a dog to a child is a total stretch but as I don’t have any kids of my own, Sam is my life and without him I’m just not sure how I’ll keep on living. Maybe a 500 mile walk when he finally dies is just the thing for me…food for thought. Anyway I wish you the best of luck on your journey and I look forward to following your posts.
All the best,
Meredith Ulbrich
LikeLike