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MAIN PHOTO: Chad Kennedy (right) and support walker Lisa along with the support vehicle driven by Rick go along Hwy 214 in Elmsdale towards Hwy 102 as they head to Halifax on the Sea to Sea for PTSD Walk on July 11. (Healey photo)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n ELMSDALE: <\/strong>\u00a0Chad Kennedy hopes if one thing comes from his cross Canada walk Sea to Sea for PTSD its that there\u2019s more \u201ccritical conversations\u201d around Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, he hopes two things come\u2014more awareness and discussion on PTSD and its impacts, and if one person is saved from his walk then its been a success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kennedy\u2019s story on how the walk came about is one of accountability, while also inspiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Sea to Sea for PTSD Walk was passing through Stewiacke, where they met some of the volunteer firefighters, Mayor and at least one councillor on July 10, before continuing towards Halifax, where they hope to be by the July 15 weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kennedy, and his team of two \u2013 Lisa who acts as communications\/support walker, and Rick Chorney who is safety, were at the Elmsdale Petro-Canada on Hwy 214 for a short break on the morning of July 11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ADVERTISEMENT: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”31″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate group=”2″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kennedy said on August 2, 2020, he was ready to end his life, and even had a -plan to do so through self-medication and rum,<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn my drunken stupor I kind of put it out on social media that I was going to walk across Canada,\u201d he said as he munched on some snacks and fuelled up for the remaining 15 kms or so on this day at the Petro-Canada. \u201cI just stuck to it. It was something that I announced, and I could have taken away really quick and the whole world would have forgotten about it the next day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI decided to hold myself accountable and just start critical conversations with our public safety professionals, military, and veterans across the country in the hopes of saving one person from suicide. \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first leg of Sea to Sea for PTSD started April 2022 in B.C. and concluded in Montreal. They stopped it to get Rick back home for surgery. They restarted from Quebec City on June 2, and are making their way to Halifax before they plan to go to PEI early next week for a couple days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kennedy said they will then continue the walk-through Nova Scotia towards Cape Breton and the ferry to Newfoundland and Labrador. The aim is to conclude the cross-country walk on Aug. 4 in St. John\u2019s, NL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”84″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”78″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not all about the walk\u2014they will be spending time doing a few touristy type things, visiting friends and locations while in the region. But the main reason to be this way is the walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Stewiacke, firefighters came to see and talk to him along with councillor Pam Osborne and Mayor George Lloyd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said he was happy to be in Nova Scotia, a third visit here for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kennedy was asked what the reaction has been along his journey, especially in the Atlantic Provinces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen we\u2019re walking the support through honks and waves is phenomenal,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat’s really amazing is when we meet somebody on the side of the highway in the middle of nowhere that has followed the campaign and they run back towards me just for a hug or a thank you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, the support team had to run a supporter\u00a0 back to their vehicle near the Lantz Connector. The person walked with Kennedy and his team for a few kilometres to the Petro-Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”71″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”126″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kennedy said the support has been pretty amazing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cObviously when we’re not walking, I’m just another guy, another face in the crowd,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut the truck itself sparks a lot of conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said they plan to head to P.E.I. on July 17 and spend a few days there, see some old friends and do some walking and talking as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe’ll come back over and continue through Nova Scotia for a little while longer, and then July 27 we’ll head over to Newfoundland,\u201d said Kennedy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ADVERTISEMENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”34″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate group=”6″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n VIDEOS from the walk on Hwy 214 and a brief summary interview by the Sea to Sea for PTSD truck at the Petro-Canada.<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n