For the sixth consecutive summer, veterans,veterans, and first responders traveled from coast to coast to raise awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder. increased.
A rolling barrage is a fundraising motorcycle that typically lasts three weeks and runs 8,000 kilometers. Approximately 20 stops between Halifax and Burnaby, British Columbia.
"They suffer from trauma exponentially, and it's trauma that builds up on a daily basis," says Scott Casey, organizer of the people the rides are meant to help. "That's why I wanted that family to come together."
Read More: Calgary Area Veterans Riding a motorcycle to help PTSD sufferers
Casey enlisted in the Royal Canadian Infantry Regiment when he was 17 years old. He said he struggled with mental health when he returned to Canada after serving as a peacekeeper in Bosnia in the early 1990s.
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"My drinking was off the charts at the time," he told Global News. It was one of the ways to cope.In the 90s there was no cure and you had to learn how to survive without it.”
Casey suffered from PTSD for 16 years and eventually died. was diagnosed and received the necessary help. Slowly, he said things got better.
Now he is on a mission to help others. That's how The Rolling Barrage was born.
On Public Roads , where hundreds of Canadians congregate. to support each other through their personal struggles.
"Now that it's a huge network of families, everyone has a chance to stay healthy," Casey said.
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Each morning of the tour, the day's ride is dedicated to a friend or colleague in distress. At many stops along the way, locals will thank you and tell riders that they care.
"The town is now lined up with people coming out and waving...you see that there is a healing process in the people on the rides," Casey said. rice field.
Read more: The Department of Veterans Affairs found that workers "inappropriately" discussed medically assisted dying with veterans.
Last year in 2016, The Rolling Barrage raised nearly $59,000 for PTSD funds. The ride has been a huge success, and Casey says he is now helping launch other enlightenment rides in Canada.
He explained that he never thought the idea would become so powerful and help so many people.
"I didn't know what to expect, but I was on the run in the middle of 2017 and someone said, 'See you later?'" said Casey.
"Here we are. It's still running six years later, so I'm very happy."
This year's ride is his August 1st. It is scheduled to begin in Halifax on , and arrive in Clanbrook, British Columbia.
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