The Road To Recovery with Beastie
Donation protected
Simply put to give back and make an impact. This trip is not just about me fulfilling my dream of traveling to Alaska and experiencing a new adventure. My goal is to raise a dollar for every mile I travel. The goal amount listed here will increase as I continue my journey. Currently the $4000 goal reflects about how many miles I've driven since leaving my home in Colorado, nearly 30 days ago.
The money raised here will then be split between two organizations Team Overland and Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.
"Team Overland is a nonprofit organization based in Southern Oregon that guide outdoor adventures as an outlet for Veterans to overcome challenges associated with service related physical and mental health disabilities, and to facilitate Veteran reintegration back into civilian society….On the trail, we work as a team to overcome the obstacles encountered on the way to our destinations. Around camp we have a saying, ‘the fire facilitates’ meaning we don’t provide therapy or plan any set questions for guests. We light the fire and it facilitates conversation and forms connections. From the point, we meet-up until the time we return home guests have everything they need provided for them including all meals catered and any camping gear needed.”
While Brain & Behavior Research Foundation "is committed to alleviating the suffering caused by mental illness by awarding grants that will lead to advances and breakthroughs in scientific research." Brain & Behavior Research Foundation awards grants to research projects ranging from depression, PTSD, to autism and obsessive compulsive disorders.
While Team Overland specifically works with veterans, I hope through my travels and speaking about my own struggles on social media platforms that I can maybe reach others who have been struggling through depression and the impact it has on ones life.
Why mental health issues? I myself have suffered and struggled with depression since I was 19 (I’m 25 now), although it is something I rarely talk very openly about, I'm hoping to change that on this trip as well. My typing this being a major step in opening up the conversations. That may not seem like a terribly long time, but to struggle in finding glimpses of happiness for 6 years, it feels like forever. I have always felt better, more in tune with myself, and had a stronger sense of being when on the road.
Through travel I have really been able to work through a lot in regards to my depression, my sense of place in this world, interpersonal relationships, and I have really understood the benefits of learning to be introspective and reflective. I have found incredible support within the overlanding community and wish to return that support and be a positive impact in someone else’s life. A sort of voice for those fearful of reaching out in regards to their own struggle, just as I was for a long time. Even today, I still find it difficult to talk about my own struggle.
This journey is so much more than raising money for the two organizations listed above. Throughout my travels, I hope to discuss and provide a constructive platform for others to talk about their own struggles and perhaps start to destigmatize the conversations surrounding mental health.
The money raised here will then be split between two organizations Team Overland and Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.
"Team Overland is a nonprofit organization based in Southern Oregon that guide outdoor adventures as an outlet for Veterans to overcome challenges associated with service related physical and mental health disabilities, and to facilitate Veteran reintegration back into civilian society….On the trail, we work as a team to overcome the obstacles encountered on the way to our destinations. Around camp we have a saying, ‘the fire facilitates’ meaning we don’t provide therapy or plan any set questions for guests. We light the fire and it facilitates conversation and forms connections. From the point, we meet-up until the time we return home guests have everything they need provided for them including all meals catered and any camping gear needed.”
While Brain & Behavior Research Foundation "is committed to alleviating the suffering caused by mental illness by awarding grants that will lead to advances and breakthroughs in scientific research." Brain & Behavior Research Foundation awards grants to research projects ranging from depression, PTSD, to autism and obsessive compulsive disorders.
While Team Overland specifically works with veterans, I hope through my travels and speaking about my own struggles on social media platforms that I can maybe reach others who have been struggling through depression and the impact it has on ones life.
Why mental health issues? I myself have suffered and struggled with depression since I was 19 (I’m 25 now), although it is something I rarely talk very openly about, I'm hoping to change that on this trip as well. My typing this being a major step in opening up the conversations. That may not seem like a terribly long time, but to struggle in finding glimpses of happiness for 6 years, it feels like forever. I have always felt better, more in tune with myself, and had a stronger sense of being when on the road.
Through travel I have really been able to work through a lot in regards to my depression, my sense of place in this world, interpersonal relationships, and I have really understood the benefits of learning to be introspective and reflective. I have found incredible support within the overlanding community and wish to return that support and be a positive impact in someone else’s life. A sort of voice for those fearful of reaching out in regards to their own struggle, just as I was for a long time. Even today, I still find it difficult to talk about my own struggle.
This journey is so much more than raising money for the two organizations listed above. Throughout my travels, I hope to discuss and provide a constructive platform for others to talk about their own struggles and perhaps start to destigmatize the conversations surrounding mental health.
Organizer
Maggie McDermut
Organizer
Boulder, CO
