SAVE THE BRAVE

Hello... My name is Maaka. I am a Soldier, a firefighter and an ambulance officer. As a result of my service in 2016 I was diagnosed with PTSD. I also suffered from Depression and Anxiety... The big 3 attacking me all at once. I fought hard, alone by myself to keep above ground. At times I was so far down in a hole I honestly thought I was never going to make it out alive.

I served in Bosnia and a number of years in Iraq, I have seen death upfront and personal as a fireifghter and as an ambulance officer. I thought I could handle this... I was wrong :( I had never been so scared in my life before.

Looking for help I could see it, but I did not know how to reach for it, how to grab it. It took me 8 years alot of crying, alot of sitting in rooms by myself to come home from Iraq... to actually step up and ask for help. I had never cried so much in my life before.

In 2017 I walked the length of New Zealand and in 2018 myself and my dog "BLAZE" walked 250km living on the side of the road to raise awareness and normalise mental health within our Defence Force and First Responders.

I am now in the process of setting up a Charitable Trust called SAVE THE BRAVE. SAVE THE BRAVE is about providing support for the Men and Women of the NZDF, NZ police, Fire, Ambulance and Coast Guard both past members and current serving who are going through mental health related illnesses.

Utilising Animal Therapy, Music, Art, Drama, Massage and Meditation Therapies, as well as a Free Helpline and professional guidance.

The money that you donate in kind will be used to financially support these initiatives. I would like to thank you all in advance for your support.

Blessings,

Maaka McKinney :)