www.pdbmagazine.com
PDB
Pontoon
&
Deck
Boat
JULY
2014
43
Boating saved Loyd Sawyer's life.
Loyd suffers from Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder after completing a
tour of duty in Iraq while serving in
the United States Army. Working in
Mortuary Affairs, Loyd witnessed hor-
rific death and destruction that would
haunt his waking hours and torment
his sleep. Returning home, Loyd was
stationed in Fort Lee, Va., where he
participated in therapy and recovery
groups, but they had little effect on
his outlook.
Loyd's PTSD affected every aspect
of his life. He retreated into his house,
unwilling to entertain guests, friends
or family and he had difficulty keeping
his anger controlled. He drank heavily,
suffered insomnia and treated his fam-
ily poorly as he was unable to process
the emotions he kept bottled within.
Loyd's life fell apart as he struggled to
cope with his PTSD.
Loyd's first major breakthrough
came when his wife and John Rob-
erts of the Wounded Warrior Project
insisted that Loyd join Project Od-
yssey, a Wounded Warrior Project
program. Project Odyssey is designed
to help veterans with PTSD overcome
combat stress through connecting
with nature, peers and trained profes-
sionals. Reflecting on his time with
Project Odyssey, Loyd recalls that he
was challenged to find what he loved
doing and to become involved in his
local community.
Challenge Outdoors
Boating saves lives
By Jeffrey V. Shirts
