Introducing: Raffaela Dragani
“Tramping is a big part of who I am... [and] I want to reclaim that part of me from FND. The grant gives me access to the resources I need to get my body strong again. ”
We, the Mastering Mountains team, are thrilled to introduce Raffaela Dragani, one of two expedition grant recipients this year. We love the dedication she brings, and we are excited to support her as she strives for her goal. Below, we asked Raffaela a few questions, which she answered:
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Raffaela Dragani. I am 41 years young and hail from the Abruzzo region of Italy. My mum is German, hence I am scary organized; my dad is Italian, hence my passion and intensity. New Zealand has been my home since 2013, when I traveled to Marlborough to work in the wine industry. Little did I know I would meet my husband and relocate here for good.
Raffaela, visiting family in Italy.
My parents worked hard to share their love for the outdoors with me, taking me and my brother tramping from a very young age. Abruzzo is home to the highest peaks of the Apennines mountains and many national parks. Lots of my fondest memories are from hiking with Dad in Italy. Marlborough with the Richmond Ranges reminds me of these memories, making me feel less homesick. That's why I love getting into the hills.
Then, in April 2020, right after a 40-day lockdown spent working from home, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) reared its head. I developed tremors in my right hand and arm, and initially, we weren't sure why. Because of COVID, it was hard to find a neurologist: it was not easy at the time to go through the health system. I finally saw a neurologist in June 2021 and received my diagnosis. I cried with relief at the time to know my brain was okay.
Getting diagnosed with FND also showed me how important representation is. I never heard about FND before my diagnosis. I am still scared and grieving, but knowing there is a community (like FND Hope and Mastering Mountains) makes a huge difference. I make a point to be open and honest with the people around me about my diagnosis so they learn about FND. I hope they can one day support someone else with FND in the future.
Show your support to Raffaela and help other to get outdoors by making a donation.
What does it look like living with your diagnosis?
I work as a QA Manager for a wine company, and I am lucky to have my employer's full support. In some ways, my work life has not changed much since receiving the diagnosis. However, managing my FND requires me to work more from home, and my typing has slowed.
Unlike my work life, my personal life and how I use my spare time have changed significantly with FND. Big tramping adventures are currently out of reach. Because I haven't been able to get out, I lost time with my tramping girlfriends, and we used to go out together, tramping regularly. I used to love journaling, but handwriting, more than a few brief sentences, is not an option anymore. My phone and dictation help a lot. I often feel sorely aware of my limits, and it hurts to have lost these outlets.
I try to stay active, working out on the mat, doing easy short walks, going to the pool, and working out at the gym with my trainer. I try to meditate daily. I'm getting better at resting when my body needs it, and I read lots of books.
Tell us about your mission.
I've wanted to reach Blue Lake in Nelson Lakes National Park for a long time. I was so excited because I was booked to be a hut warden there a few years ago, but I had to cancel because of my health. I felt so disappointed. Since then, I have always wanted to go, so I've chosen it as the goal I'll work toward with Mastering Mountains.
I feel excited about my goal because tramping is a big part of who I am. With the support of Mastering Mountains, I want to reclaim that part of me from FND. The grant gives me access to the resources I need to get my body strong again. At the moment, my walking is bad. My right leg limps and shakes, my right ankle curls up, and sometimes I struggle to put my foot down all together. I can only walk a few kilometres at a time, and the trip to Blue Lake Hut will take a few days. They say the best way to train for tramping is to go tramping. My grant allows me to work with professionals, helping me get strong enough to walk on uneven terrain and carry a pack. Easy right?!?!
The journey ahead of me feels scary (what if I fail?) and mad exciting (what if I make it?) all jumbled up together.
If you could have a giant billboard with anything on it, what would it say and why?
I'd have two billboards with quotes that ring true and align with who I am and have been for many years.
The first would show Audrey Hpeburn's famous quote:
"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles."
My second billboard would display an Italian poem by Stefano Benni. My translation does not do this one justice at all:
"And for us, each day is precious.
We have the stories.
We know how to fix things.
Even if the wind blows against us, we've always eaten bread and storm, and we will overcome it once more."
“E per noi ogni giorno è prezioso.
E abbiamo i racconti.
E sappiamo riparare le cose, voi no.
E anche se il vento ci soffia contro, abbiamo sempre mangiato pane e tempesta, e passeremo anche questa.”
Thank you
Mastering Mountains would like to offer a huge thank you to our sponsors for making this grant possible:
MitoQ for a supply of their antioxidant supplement;
Rab for supplying clothing;
Southern Approach for supplying equipment.