FIRST OF ITS KIND IN NORTH AMERICA
Unique wellness centre responds to the challenges of being on the frontline
Unique wellness centre responds to the challenges of being on the frontline
First responders from across Waterloo Region came to the grand opening of the Frontline Forward wellness centre on Shirley Avenue in Kitchener on June 21. Also attending were, Waterloo MP and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Bardish Chagger (third from left) and Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic (third from right). Owner Bryan Stevens is beside the mayor.
Photo by Helen Hall
Photo by Helen Hall
by Helen Hall
Kitchener Citizen
July 2019
After seeing some of the worst tragedies in his 30 years as a paramedic, Bryan Stevens was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in 2014.
Stevens, who is a Kitchener resident, had spent the first 12 years of his career in Mississauga, and then the next 18 years as a Critical Care Flight Paramedic on a helicopter based in London.
“There was a very high stress level,” Stevens said. “We responded to the worst trauma” following car crashes, as well as industrial and farming accidents. They were responsible for trying to keep people alive while quickly transporting them to a hospital.
After being diagnosed with PTSD, he received 18 months of treatment and was healthy enough to go back to work.
But he knew, in his line of work, it was “100% likely I would be retraumatized” he said, so he decided to retire.
“I made that happy and healthy decision for myself and my family.”
While visiting a friend in Kingston who had been in the military, he learned about a gym that was being used by people with PTSD.
“I thought ‘This is what I want to do. I want to reach out my hand to any person who needs a helping hand.’”
That was the spark that helped him create Frontline Forward, an 8,200 square foot support and education wellness centre that helps prevent and manage symptoms from (PTSD) and Occupational Stress Injury (OSI).
He transformed a former auto repair shop at 45 Shirley Avenue in Kitchener into one that helps people repair and strengthen their bodies and minds.
Frontline Forward is not just a gym. It includes space on-site for psychotherapy and physiotherapy, yoga, meditation, massage, chiropractic services, fascial stretch therapy, one-on-one and group therapy, workshops and guest speakers.
While it is aimed at first responders, military, medical staff and corrections officers, it is open to anyone, to help them deal with the physical and mental stresses of their job or their life.
“There is nothing like this in North America,” Stevens said.
“We have one common goal - to support everyone’s physical and mental health.”
Frontline Forward is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is staff in the building between 7am and 9pm each day.
For more information, visit its website at www.frontlineforward.com.
Kitchener Citizen
July 2019
After seeing some of the worst tragedies in his 30 years as a paramedic, Bryan Stevens was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in 2014.
Stevens, who is a Kitchener resident, had spent the first 12 years of his career in Mississauga, and then the next 18 years as a Critical Care Flight Paramedic on a helicopter based in London.
“There was a very high stress level,” Stevens said. “We responded to the worst trauma” following car crashes, as well as industrial and farming accidents. They were responsible for trying to keep people alive while quickly transporting them to a hospital.
After being diagnosed with PTSD, he received 18 months of treatment and was healthy enough to go back to work.
But he knew, in his line of work, it was “100% likely I would be retraumatized” he said, so he decided to retire.
“I made that happy and healthy decision for myself and my family.”
While visiting a friend in Kingston who had been in the military, he learned about a gym that was being used by people with PTSD.
“I thought ‘This is what I want to do. I want to reach out my hand to any person who needs a helping hand.’”
That was the spark that helped him create Frontline Forward, an 8,200 square foot support and education wellness centre that helps prevent and manage symptoms from (PTSD) and Occupational Stress Injury (OSI).
He transformed a former auto repair shop at 45 Shirley Avenue in Kitchener into one that helps people repair and strengthen their bodies and minds.
Frontline Forward is not just a gym. It includes space on-site for psychotherapy and physiotherapy, yoga, meditation, massage, chiropractic services, fascial stretch therapy, one-on-one and group therapy, workshops and guest speakers.
While it is aimed at first responders, military, medical staff and corrections officers, it is open to anyone, to help them deal with the physical and mental stresses of their job or their life.
“There is nothing like this in North America,” Stevens said.
“We have one common goal - to support everyone’s physical and mental health.”
Frontline Forward is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is staff in the building between 7am and 9pm each day.
For more information, visit its website at www.frontlineforward.com.
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