2024 Wounded Warrior Run BC’s Darryl Bathwick talks about the healing benefits of running
A Vancouver Island police officer on a fundraising tour to raise awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder is finding solace in running.
Wounded Warrior Run BC will see teams including first responders and military personnel cross Vancouver Island from north to south. At a tour stop in Nanaimo on Friday, March 1, Victoria Police Officer Darryl Bathwick spoke about the therapeutic benefits of running.
Bathwick’s 24-year career as a police officer is coming to an end, and he feels fortunate to be able to retire in reasonable physical and mental health. Running has always been an important part of his life, he said.
“Running is both physically and mentally beneficial, and the two are very connected,” Bathwick told the News Bulletin. “The connection between mind and body is so deep and strong…going outside and getting some fresh air. I look over my shoulder here and see these beautiful snow-capped mountains, the clouds roll by, and a little bit of sun shines through. It’s very powerful.”
Bathwick believes more people are aware of PTSD now than when he started his career as a police officer. Little was known about the exposure, he said, and there wasn’t much follow-up on major cases.
“The physical effects that a traumatic or critical incident has on a person and the brain, and how that physically affects a person and how that can cause PTSD. There’s so much knowledge out there now,” Bathwick said. “Some of the great things that are now possible are to recognize when that happens and intervene early. there is.”
Jacqueline Zwen, director of Wounded Warrior Run BC, said the goal has been set at $250,000, and as of March 2, nearly $116,000 has been raised, and people can simply donate. It is said that it can do more than that.
“We have given people several calls to action this year,” Tsweng said. “Visit www.woundedwarrior.ca, check out the program, and take five minutes to learn a little about it. If you have the knowledge to support first responders and servants, you can help others. Maybe we can, member.”
The team will depart Nanaimo on Saturday morning, March 2nd, and finish in Victoria on Sunday, March 3rd.
For more information, including donations, visit https://woundedwarriorrunbc.ca/.
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