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needed. We have also partnered with several bike shops in the area as donation drop off centers. People can donate used mountain bikes to MTB Vets, and we will ensure they are safe and trail worthy. These donated bikes then are given to Veterans who cannot afford to buy their own bike. One would think it would be easy to get them out however, that’s not always the case. Veterans suffering with PTSD tend to be anti-social, lack friends, don’t like going out to public places, and would rather be by themselves. This leads to bad thoughts, excessive use of alcohol, prescription drugs, illegal drugs and possible suicide. Surprisingly, many of our Veterans’ decline getting help because they are afraid of being labeled by society. On a positive note, over the past several years PTSD awareness and treatment has made great improvements. In the past it took months to get an appointment with the VA and when seen the doctors would just prescribe addictive medications and not treating the issues. Also, the civilian community saw our Veterans as damaged goods who they thought could snap at any moment. Many of our Veterans started to believe this and felt they had no one and had no purpose in life.
During our short existence, MTB Vets had been awarded two grants, hosted the first annual MTB Vets Charity Golf Scramble, hosted the 1SG Brent Myers Memorial Ride, attended Veteran workshops, and donated time and resources to spreading awareness about PTSD and how Veterans can enhance the community and the work place. Every get-together, every ride, Veterans and civilians praise what we are doing to bring awareness and needed help to our Veterans. Seeing the smiles on Veterans faces after a ride, hearing them laugh about the ride afterwards, and seeing them return is why MTB Vets was created.
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