Comments from a few of the 2019 participants
“I had a wonderful time, made new friends and have realized that I’m far more capable than I thought following my cancer diagnosis. My confidence and my ability to deal with the day to day have increased way beyond my expectations. I was able to find myself again. During the treatment I was a patient and no longer able to decide about anything. When I came back I was at peace again”.
“I feel so passionately about the benefits I have reaped from this amazing adventure. I believe it has changed my outlook on my life and instead of feeling cheated, I now feel feel lucky to have had this life changing opportunity to address my work/life balance. I now prioritise what’s important and who I love most. Having a shock, facing my own mortality, has put things into perspective. I LOVE ODYSSEY and all it stands for. Thank you ALL from the bottom of my heart”.
“Odyssey quite frankly saved me, I was in a very dark place; not any longer. Thankyou”.
Testimonials - What people say
My experience gave me the confidence to join my local sailing club. This in turn increased my confidence and fitness. I started dating after years of being single. I am in a happy relationship with someone that I met that year. I made friends on the course. I can honestly say that the course was the catalyst for one of the best years of my life. I felt challenged by the course activities but always safe - physically and emotionally. We couldn’t have been better looked after and catered for. It was utterly wonderful and will remain a life-long treasured memory. Thank you to Odyssey and all the wonderful, kind and dedicated staff. Xxx2016 Participant
My odyssey experience had a bigger impact on my life than I ever expected. To begin with it gave me back confidence in my physical body, my body became mine again rather than an alien one. I loved all the surprises of the challenges, the fabulous food and the supportive staff and other participants. I met some great people who remain friends to this day. It is hard to describe the positive impact it had on my life. I had been widowed the year before I was diagnosed with cancer so nothing in my life was stable. My children noticed a massive change in me after the course and say it helped give them back their Mum. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.2009 Participant
It was so refreshing to be in an environment where people presented opportunities to stretch and develop myself, having been a patient for a year. To be free of that label was the start of regaining my sense of self again, and started me thinking of what I wanted to do in future, whereas I had been through a period when it felt dangerous to even imagine a future. I went back to work, but after a year retired from my stressful job and now work part time in a role I love and I have run 2 marathons!2014 Participant
There can be new exciting beginnings & discoveries even when terminally ill with stage 4 cancer. The journey can be exciting & these final years have been amongst the best of my life. Treatment has now stopped for me & I’m preparing for my death. I feel privileged to have had this precious time - it’s a happy time for me and Odyssey had a massive positive impact. I wanted to die living and with my boots on.Participant
Odyssey was one of the best weeks I’ve ever had. It formed a bridge between cancer life and life afterwards, where life might be unexpected and challenging, but I could do things I never thought were possible.2006 Participant
I use what I have learnt everywhere, whenever I need to push myself into doing something I have an 'Odyssey moment' and remind myself that I can challenge myself and I can do more than I think I can. It is a regular reminder that I can't control everything, I don't know what's around the corner but I can deal with it and come out stronger.2017 Participant