Rallying the troops to ensure no one is left behind, Wayfinders Wellness Retreat near Cochrane is continuing to expand its services to help those healing from post-traumatic stress.
Wayfinders co-founder and Calgary Police Services Det. Paul Wagman said it has been exciting to experience first-hand how the retreat is taking root in Rocky View County and finding ways to connect with those looking to heal from wounds inflicted by PTSD.
“If we’ve been injured by significant PTSD, even though the stories are vastly different, the methodology and the process and the way to healing is somewhat similar," he said. “There’s hope, there’s a lot of other things when it comes to supporting your mental wellness."
New recruit retired 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Cpl. Terran Kavanagh became involved with Wayfinders at a fundraising archery shoot.
That single activity “changed my life” Kavanagh said, because it connected him with Wayfinders board members.
“I’ve seen firsthand how impactful it can be,” he said.
Kavanagh had an unknown connection to the group – he was serving in Afghanistan at the same time as Wayfinders founding member Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry 1st Battalion retired captain Bryce Talsma.
They were in separate platoons, Kavanagh said, but the duo was able to connect through events they both experienced while serving.
“One of our friends got killed, Lieutenant [Andrew] Nuttall,” Kavanagh said. “He got killed on Dec, 23 2009. It’s not too long ago.”
Kavanagh was on the shift when Nuttall was killed by an IED and Talsma was watching. Kavanagh said they both lost a friend in the incident and appreciated that they were able to connect dots for each other.
“We were both grieving for the exact same event, but we were not in the exact same place," Kavanagh said. "It was really neat validation."
When he left the military, Kavanagh said it took him three years to uncover that he was suffering from both physical and mental wounds inflicted during his service.
Wayfinders has pivoted and moved to adapt its services during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Wagman. One of the more pressing needs to emerge has been the importance of developing a workout area at the ranch given the shutdown of gyms and fitness facilities across the province.
They are now looking to create a small memorial fitness centre in honour of Lieutenant Nuttall.
“Andrew was a huge cross-fit guy in our unit. If anything sweet or rad was happening with fitness he was our guy,” Kavanagh said. “We want to put a memorial gym in the studio of the garage on his behalf. It just makes sense for who he was.”
Kavanagh said that for many people, physical fitness goes hand-in-hand with mental wellness. With gyms shut down under current health measures due to COVID-19, the loss is taking a mental toll on people – especially for those who have depression or PTSD.
Currently, they are trying to raise funding to complete the gym and floors at the retreat. Wagman said they are hoping for good equipment and monetary donations to help complete the projects.
Kavanagh was a member of Canada's national racing skeleton team and hopes when the gym is up and running, they will be able to bring Olympians in to help with workouts that could be streamed to help raise awareness for Wayfinders.
Wagman said they are working room by room so they can utilize the facility as much as possible. He added he hopes when restrictions are lifted, Wayfinders can host an appreciation night for volunteers and have a chance to connect with people and enjoy the facility.
