CTV NEWS / PTSD AWARENESS – Addiction, and Alcohol Recovery – Together We Can

Watch now – todays CTV news coverage live in English Bay, raising awareness to PTSD / Presumption of Illness petition.

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Terrance Joseph Kosikar’s heart rate went up, anxiety levels kicked in full throttle, just before speaking to over 40 men, at the Together We Can Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Society yesterday morning.
Kosikar says, “He was so nervous and stressed out due to his insecurities of speaking to more than 4 people at one time.
He felt maybe the people that were listening would get up and walk out of the room, as he knows most of his life people laugh at him behind his back and always says he talks to much.
He sat in a small room, lights off, doing a few breathing exercises to bring his heart rate and mind to a slowed pace, before looking up to his higher power for the strength and confidence to get up and try and inspire and motivate over 40 TRUE WARRIORS who were living in a recovery house taking the proper 1st steps to get there life back on track.
As the room filled , one after another , each man took his seat.
Kosikar says, ” the room just kept filling up, one man after the next, as each warrior took his seat.With each one that sat , Kosikar smiled and knew that his 30 years of suffering was all training JUST FOR THIS MOMENT.
This is his destiny.

As he stood up and introduced himself, Kosikar started making excuses in his mind as to how quik he could get this over with.
7 minutes ?
maybe 10 minutes max before the first man gets up and walks out.
“Hey guys, my Friends call me Terrance, and I AM PROUD TO BE A ADDICT”
Kosikar happily reports that, these true warriors of Together We Can – Addiction Recovery & Education Society, made him feel so comfortable, so welcomed , so appreciated, that he ended up speaking for 57 minutes.
Kosikar says, ” I’m just a farmer, planting seeds of hope and inspiration.
At the end of his talk, he asked these men to please join him in English Bay the following day to help support him, and help those who are suffering in silence and show those who may be living with mental health conditions, addictions or maybe abusing alcohol, ( all signs and symptoms of PTSD , that they are NOT ALONE.
11 am today, bus load, after bus load, had dropped off over 40 of the strongest warriors from TWC, who are in their early stages of recovery , all came out wearing TWC shirts to support Terrance Joseph Kosikar, and help him flip his tire , and enjoy living in the moment, one step, one flip, one day at a time and help bring more awareness to PTSD and try and help inspire and motive those who maybe be looking for help themselves.
Kosikar, sits in his hotel room now, with many happy tears rolling down his face and he feels he has made a few new Brothers/ Friends in his life.
This is by far, Kosikar’s most precious, happiest, most memorable moment since coming down off the Lions Gate bridge last year from his last attempted suicide.
If you or anyone you know may feel you need someone to talk with , please reach out and call Together We Can – 604- 451- 9854
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
“TOGETHER WE CAN, Break the Chains of Silence”

About the author: Terrance Kosikar

I was the first responder to a fatal accident at the Whistler Sliding Center on Opening Day of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Although I was well trained in a myriad of life saving techniques, I was not prepared to deal with the emotional impact sustained while on the job. As a result of the fatality, I developed a Post-Traumatic Stress Injury that launched me into a very costly downward spiral. During several years of severe depression, anxiety, nightmares, and substance abuse, I lost my family, my career, and nearly my life. Pushed to my breaking point, I found salvation within. Escaping to the back-country near Lillooet, BC, I found peace and purpose in Mother Nature’s beauty and simplicity. Many others who have suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress have not been so lucky. By raising awareness and destigmatizing this debilitating mental injury, we can help the people suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress get the help they need.