Down a quiet country road in Lorne, Pictou County is a...
Meet Tyson – Veteran Triumphs Over PTSD By Finding New Purpose
Down a quiet country road in Lorne, Pictou County is a beautiful sprawling 400-acre old dairy farm property that has been given a new life as the home of the Real Canadian Recreation Park, a special place for veterans to heal through nature. I wanted to learn more about this amazing place right in our own backyard, so I reached out to the founder, Tyson.
He shared, “I joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2005 with the 1st Battalion, Nova Scotia Highlanders in Pictou and I did two tours in Afghanistan totaling 435 days during my career,” he paused, “In 2015, I was diagnosed with PTSD and medically released from the Canadian Armed Forces in November 2018 retiring as a Sergeant.” I quickly replied, “Thank you for your service.” He smiled softly. “I cannot even imagine the things you must have seen or how you must have felt during your deployments.” He reflected, “For a while, I was numb to everything. I didn’t love, I didn’t hate, I didn’t feel and that is just part of PTSD. I didn’t really care about anything, whether I lived or died, that is just how it was.” I sat there quietly as I absorbed his every word. My heart is heavy, my eyes teary.
Tyson credits his wife of over 17 years, Jenna, for the chance meeting and connection that ultimately led to the creation of the park and his dream project coming true. “I was having trouble completing and filing my Department of Veterans Affairs paperwork for months. My wife suggested that I make an appointment with Fabian Henry who was also a retired sergeant and PTSD survivor who had an office in Oromocto, NB helping veterans with such paperwork. During that meeting, I told him about my idea of a not-for-profit eco-adventure park to help veterans’ mental health,” he smiled, “little did I know what would happen next.”
It turns out that Fabian loved the idea and with funds from the not-for-profit Global Alliance Foundation Fund that he co-founded, Tyson was able to bring his dream to life. He now owns the property after purchasing it from Fabian, with the aims and goals of continuing the Park society’s mandate while living on the property. “Without that chance encounter and the continuous love and support from my wife and two young daughters, none of this would be possible. Army girls and guys are all about tasks and purpose,” his heart filled with gratitude, “And this project is now my task and purpose. Now that I have this project and something to look forward to, it makes life easier.” I could feel a smile on my face and happiness in my heart for him. What an amazing man with a true desire to help others despite his own challenges.
Lastly, Tyson shared, “I have found peace and serenity on this property, and I want others to experience it too. If it helps just one veteran, it will be worth it.”
I think this quote by Stacy Westfall sums it up perfectly, “Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere you find yourself.” ❤
The goal of the Real Canadian Recreation Park Society is to have outdoor trails for hiking, biking, and all-terrain vehicles. Getting back to nature through camping, fishing, and physical activity. The property is currently home to an Afghanistan War Monument to honor the fallen soldiers, trails and ongoing trail building, refurbishment of a barn that will be the primary gathering place, five wooden A-frame tents for veterans and their families, and a tree house! In phase four, the hope is to have the property open to the public as well.
If you would like to volunteer to help with the project, please contact the Real Canadian Recreation throught their website or Facebook.