Injured Soldiers Walk Towards Recovery

[Overlandman]

From ABC
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-13/i ... ection=tas

Hope they enjoy the walk, wonder if they have army rations.

A group of soldiers injured in the line of duty have set off on Tasmania's Overland Track.
Most of the 12 soldiers have fought in Afghanistan and have travelled south from the Soldier Recovery Centre at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville.
They will spend the next six days walking the 65 kilometre track as part of their rehabilitation from physical and mental health issues.
Queensland trooper Michael Harrison says for him it will be a physical challenge.
"We've all got our own reasons and our own personal goals," he said.
Private Craig Armstrong from Victoria says he is looking forward to the walk.
"I like walking at the best of times anyway, so getting a chance to go for a nice hike, get the blood going," he said.

If this trek is deemed a successful part of rehabilitating injured soldiers it could become a regular activity.

[Old Fart]

Good luck, safe travels, I hope you find solace in those snow covered hills and enjoy the challenge ......

[MichaelJ]

At dawn on Anzac Day I can sit on my back veranda and listen to the last post being played at Lavarack Barracks. We are generally pretty fond of our soldiers up here in this garrison town; these guys deserve the best, and the OLT idea was a stroke of genius. Hopefully they will be able to take their time, enjoy themselves, and stop and smell the roses. Wonder if they will be walking as civvies, with their own choice of gear, or with the full army kit and uniform. Thanks, Overlandman.

[stepbystep]

Their gear looked a mixed bag, but I gathered it's a post-service civilian thing.
I hope our reserve system gets used more and more for this type of thing. I particularly want to see disadvantaged youth being given the privilege that we take for granted, through programs in schools etc, it'd serve them well as they grow into their lives.

[MichaelJ]

You're exactly right about that, sbs; I've been teaching for thirty years and have known so many wonderful kids who would have absolutely thrived on the OLT experience and learned so much from it - but never had a chance of going because they were from disadvantaged backgrounds.

[Nuts]

I agree, good stuff!

The OLT is ok for these sorts of things, somewhere like the Capes track is sounding even better. Then again, other tracks would obviously be more suitable for financially disadvantaged.

Haven't heard of a military rehab trip but various theme trips do happen quite often. It's important to do these things by the book (12's too many) not only but especially for the ones where a commercial operator is involved..

[jacko1956]

Similar concept on the AT this year.
Dubbed the "Warrior Hike".
Was quite successful I believe and follow ups on the USA's other two big trails (PCT and CDT) are being planned.

[Overlandman]

From ABC News,

Hope for a speedy recovery

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-17/c ... ion=tasTwo Australian soldiers taking part in a rehabilitation program have had to be rescued from Tasmania's Overland Track.

A rescue helicopter has picked up a man with an injured shoulder and a woman who suffered knee injuries in a fall.

Both were taken to Hobart and are in a stable condition.

It is understood the helicopter tried to reach the pair yesterday but was held back by wild weather.

The soldiers were walking in two groups of six along the 65-kilometre track.

They have been battered by strong winds, rain and snow since setting out earlier this week.

The walk is part of a program run by Townsville's Soldier Recovery Centre.

The soldiers were all injured in the line of duty, most of them having served in Afghanistan

[Drifting]

Very unfortunate to have to get a helicopter lift, but they wouldn't be the only ones. I hope it doesn't discourage the soldiers, or set back their recovery.

[Overlandman]

Update from ABC
Looks like there wasn't much sunshine during the 6 days.
Well done to all involved

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-18/s ... ection=tas

A group of injured Australian soldiers have found the road to recovery in Tasmania's wilderness.

The soldiers hiked for six days through wind and snow as part of a rehabilitation program run by the defence force.
The army has hailed the mission a success, despite two soldiers needing to be rescued after sustaining minor injuries.
The 65-kilometre trek from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair was part of a new program designed by the Soldier Recovery Centre to build resilience.
12 soldiers set out on the journey, but two were flown out with shoulder, knee and back injuries on Thursday.
"The one that was in our group, he made it most of the way, and I think he should be able to hold his head up and realise he's done well," said Private Craig Armstrong.
Private Armstrong was chasing his dream of joining the S-A-S when he injured his knee during a field exercise.
“One of the things that goes hand in hand with the physical injury is the psychological after-effect of the injury and something like this for myself showing that psychologically I can still handle arduous situations."
Ashely Barker from the Soldier Recovery Centre believes the walk has been therapeutic.
"It's shown them that regardless of the injury that they've received over time that they can still get out and do normal daily things that other people can do."

Those involved in the trek are pushing for more walks as part of soldier recovery programs in the future.