A Calgary veteran plans to ride his bike to military monuments in the city to highlight the sacrifices of soldiers.
Bike Calgary was working on a pilot group ride with local veterans to commemorate and raise funds for veteran groups, but that all changed with the rise in COVID-19 cases. Now the ride involves a sole rider.
Growing up in southern California, Tegh Singh never had to contend with cycling in the snow. But he’s not letting Calgary’s weather stop him from biking to the city’s military monuments on Remembrance Day.
The 34-year-old veteran has been through far worse.
“It left me with a considerable amount of trauma,” Singh said. “Especially my first deployment to Iraq, where I saw lots of grotesque violence which has changed me quite a bit.”
Singh’s unit saw heavy combat while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, earning them several Presidential Unit Citations and the Valorous Unit Award for heroism against an armed enemy – the two highest awards which can be issued to a unit by the army.
Read more:
Equine therapy program for veterans, first responders struggling with lack of funding
But it came with a price. For years he struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on his own, not seeking treatment because he felt like a burden.
“I said there are so many other people who have it so much worse than me, so I want to save it for them,” Singh said.
“Unfortunately, that decision took quite a toll on my personal life and my family life for years.”
Read more:
‘I have nightmares all the time’: Calgary clinic offers hope for veterans suffering from PTSD
A new study is now being conducted to look at the impact the pandemic is having on the mental health of veterans and their spouses.
The study is a collaboration between the Lawson Health Research Institute and the Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The concern is that social isolation and less in-person therapy may be hurting an already vulnerable population.
“It’s unknown how the pandemic will impact veterans and their families, but it could result in particularly serious outcomes,” said Fardous Hosseiny, vice-president of research and policy at the Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“So we want to hear from all Canadian veterans and their spouses. We want to know if they’re doing well or if they are seeking care or not.”
Read more:
New study looks to speak to veterans and their spouses about the impact of COVID-19 on mental health
This year, Singh got treatment through the Veterans Transition Network.
He said therapy and cycling has helped him heal.
“Some of my other friends who are also veterans, they have been having a much harder time than I have because they have been isolating so much more,” Singh said.
“But they are in a very different place with their own trauma and the healing process.”
Singh is raising funds for the Veterans Transition Network and the Field of Crosses. He said he’s riding for his brothers and sisters who didn’t come home and for those who are still hurting.
 |
Tegh Singh (@TeghSinghCA) |
|
Met with @GlobalCalgary this morning at @TMM_yyc to talk about #RideToRemembrance and the support vets need every day, not just Nov 11. My 35km bike ride is tomm morning! Find out more here: bikecalgary.org/ride-to-rememb… #VeteransDay2020 #RemembranceDay #WeWillRememberThem #yycbike pic.twitter.com/jwzKDBad7B |
|