Members of Sea to Sea for PTSD, LPS, and the Alberta Sheriffs Highway Patrol in Lethbridge. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Sea to Sea for PTSD makes its way through Lethbridge

Apr 15, 2022 | 9:44 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A group of first responders and law enforcement personnel have made their way through Lethbridge on their 6,500 km journey on foot.

Sea to Sea for PTSD aims to raise awareness and funds for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Organizer Chad Kennedy says the walk started in Cranbrook, B.C. on April 4, 2022, and he hopes to finish in St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador in mid-October.

They spent the night at the Bridgeview RV Resort in the Lethbridge coulees Thursday night and continued eastward on Good Friday morning.

By Friday afternoon, they hope to reach Taber. From there, they will be in Brooks on Monday morning then make their way to Medicine Hat by next weekend.

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Kennedy works with the Alberta Highway Sheriffs Patrol.

He was diagnosed with PTSD in 2018 due to accumulated trauma. He was also one of the first members to respond to the Columbia Icefields tragedy near Jasper in July 2020.

“During my darkest moment, I basically threw it off the cuff – I’m going to walk Canada and raise awareness for this horrible demon. Really for me, it’s about defining myself and finding my purpose because, for so many years, I’ve been somebody that everyone else expects me to be.”

“People see a uniform, they don’t recognize us as humans – we are the helpers. You soon realize, if you can’t help yourself, how are you able to help others?”

Kennedy has been preparing for this since August 29, 2020, walking about 65 kilometres per week and attending therapy.

The group was greeted by a crowd of supporters including Lethbridge Police Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh, Mayor Blaine Hyggen, police officers and firefighters from Lethbridge, and Kennedy’s colleagues in the Highway Sheriffs Patrol.

Kennedy says it has been amazing to not only see this kind of support in Lethbridge, but in every community they have walked through so far.

Mehdizadeh has worked in RCMP detachments throughout the country before joining LPS in 2020. He says he has seen PTSD and other concerns related to mental health in every place his career has taken him.

“First responders, law enforcement, fire, EMT, our sheriffs are here today. In addition to that, normal people also can suffer from PTSD. It’s an invisible disease that, sometimes, they don’t even know they are suffering from that until they actually know. Anything to take the stigma away and promote that it’s ok to feel this way and there’s help for them, it’s critical to move forward.”

You can learn more about the group at SeaToSeaForPTSD.ca or follow their journey on Facebook.

On their website, donations can be made and merchandise is available for purchase.

Mayor Blaine Hyggen meets with members of Sea to Sea for PTSD. (Lethbridge News Now)

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