The Wounded Warriors Run goes from Port Hardy to Victoria over eight consecutive days, covering more than 600 kilometres. (Wounded Warriors Canada)

By Jordan Davidson

important cause

Wounded Warriors Run for mental health support hits close to home

Mar 3, 2023 | 5:41 AM

NANAIMO — One of the most successful Wounded Warrior Runs is currently making its way down Vancouver Island.

It’s the tenth year participants have raised money and support for veterans, first responders and their families dealing with mental health issues by running over 600 kilometres from Port Hardy to Victoria, travelling between Parksville and Nanaimo on Friday, March 3.

Laurie Grubb, vice president at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 256 in Nanaimo, knows all too well the traumatic effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through her husband, a Vietnam vet who has dealt with the debilitating effects since leaving service.

“They may live in the event through flashbacks or nightmares, they may feel sadness, fear or anger. They may feel detached or estranged from other people. People with PTSD may have a strong reaction to loud noises or an accidental touch.”

Those with PTSD can have intense, disturbing thoughts and flashbacks related to their experiences long after the event has ended.

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Grubb said her husband was no exception.

“I remember the day that a car on the highway backfired, and my husband reacted and we were in the ditch looking for cover. I remember early on in my marriage, my husband when he reacted to certain songs he was right back flying that helicopter in Vietnam.”

She added during some nightmares, she was inadvertently punched by her husband.

It’s another example of how PTSD can impact the entire family, not just the person suffering from it.

“Today the nightmares are rare, at least I believe they are. Years of various therapy sessions, medications, and education for the entire family helped us deal with PTSD which does affect the family as well.”

(Wounded Warriors Canada)

The run started in Port Hardy on Feb. 26 and will finish in Victoria on March 5. The running party also stops at local legion branches to help garner support and raise extra funds.

“They’ll be stopping (on Friday) at Branch 257 in Lantzville, from there they’ll relay to Branch 10 in the south end, and then from there they will run here to the legion on East Wellington Rd (Nanaimo), hopefully arriving here about 4:30-4:45 p.m.”

A dinner service with selected guests and the public will then occur.

More information including how to donate to Wounded Warriors Canada can be found here on their website.

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