ABOUT US
Meet Mark and Judy, the cycling duo pedaling across the country to raise awareness of PTSD in the Veteran and First Responder communities
mark crawford USAF PJ Ret, WEMT
Mark entered USAF Pararescue as an 18 year old pup, and culminated his career at the tip of the spear with JSOC at Pope AFB. “Glorified Boyscouts” best describes his 22 years in the career field, training for and executing Combat Search and Rescue missions in every possible environment and condition: dive ops, jungle ops, desert ops, snow ops, rock ops, urban ops with navigation for access/escape via air, land or sea . . . all while under fire. All those years of jumping out of planes, landing hard in helos and torquing body parts has taken a physical toll, paid in surgeries, chronic pain and disability. Trained to be stealth, covert, staunchly independent and intensely high-functioning doesn’t lend itself to seeking help, and certainly not acknowledging sadness or depression. But when a cataclysmic, perfect-storm of events forces it all to the surface there are only 2 choices - get help or make it end. We Got Help! We’re pedaling to raise PTSD Awareness; that help does exists; and, that You Deserve It!
Judy Crawford RN, WEMT
Cycling is embedded in Judy’s genes, from family trips to commuting, from swooping the streets of Boston to competing as a fully-sponsored rider and US National Cycling Team Member. Judy’s legs know how to turn circles. Riding is recreational now and fits amidst working as a RN at the Northern Arapaho Tribe Clinic (Wind River Family & Community Health Care), as a Cycling Coach and Crew at Gannett Peak Sports and an Instructor at NOLS Wilderness Medicine. And formerly involved in Search and Rescue, firefighting and as an EMT. But there’s a shadow side to this story peaking into the light. Recent PTSD treatments, and therapy have helped. Cycling continues to play a central role in recovery, and even with the privilege of pedaling as an honorary member of the NAC Veteran’s Cycling Team. Follow along as we pedal, chat and continue our Journey of Healing.