Free balloon adventures for Colorado Veterans with PTSD
Bradley Davis
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Marine Corps Veteran Zach Tidwell lost his sight after a suicide attempt six years ago. He said he sees things better now than he ever did before.
“When you’ve reached the point of putting a gun between your eyes, you see joy in absolutely nothing,” Tidwell said. “Now, I can’t see anything going on, but I can choose to appreciate the small things like feeling the wind and the heat.”
Tidwell was one of the Veterans who took flight with the Veterans Exploration Therapy (VET) sunrise balloon launch on Thursday. He said he found salvation in movement. After leaving the hospital completely blind, he said he was skiing before being able to cook for himself and has since dedicated himself to Ju Jitsu and lifting as well.
Tidwell’s story immediately spoke to VET founder, Deke Letson.
“Giving the people purpose. Giving them memories they’re going to remember for the rest of my life,” Letson said.
Letson might not have the physical markings, but he found himself on a similar journey.
“I hit rock bottom. I lost my job. I was that veteran who was about to commit suicide,” Letson said. “I got a DUI, which was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Letson struggled with Delayed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. he said he’s been sober since his DUI seven years ago. Afteward, he decided to go back to school at Red Rocks Community College, where he created VET as a class project. It’s turned into his life’s passion.
“We want to reach more. That’s the thing right there, it’s not just Zach. There’s so many more out there too who are struggling,” Letson said.
Letson said his mission is to help Veterans on their healing journeys through outdoor adventures, like the sunrise balloon ride.
Tidwell has put in a lot of work on his own since his attempt six years ago. Rather than needing a healing journey, he said Thursday’s ride became more of a victory lap.
“‘What was my thing I was floating away from?’ Deke had asked me, and honestly, I don’t feel like I have anything that I need to float away from. I didn’t realize that until I was asked that question,” Tidwell said.
Letson said he struggled to get care for over a year because he didn’t have the proper disability claims. He said he does not require Veterans to show any paperwork when reaching out to sign up for one of his free adventures.