Mother turns pain into drive to help others fight Combat PTSD

Mother turns pain into drive to help others
Bolstered by her faith, Leslie Mayne vowed to fight back against PTSD. In her son’s honor, she founded the Race for a Soldier half marathon in Gig Harbor last fall. The second running of the race is Sept. 23 and other cities are considering launching their own versions.
CRAIG HILL; STAFF WRITER
Published: Sept. 15, 2012

When Leslie Mayne got the call that changed her life, she says it felt like she was pushed off a cliff.

It was March 7, 2009, the day after her son, Pvt. First Class Kyle Farr, was released from Maryland’s Perry Point Veteran’s Hospital after receiving treatment for post traumatic stress disorder. The news she received dropped her to her knees.

Her son, 27, had overmedicated and was found dead in a Baltimore hotel room.

“Losing a child hurts so bad it should kill you,” Mayne said.

It’s a pain she doesn’t want anybody else to feel.

Bolstered by her faith, Mayne vowed to fight back against PTSD. In her son’s honor, she founded the Race for a Soldier half marathon in Gig Harbor last fall. The second running of the race is Sept. 23 and other cities are considering launching their own versions.

More than 1,400 runners and 3,000 spectators attended last year’s event raising more than $44,000. Organizers hope for 2,000 runners this year with troops doing a simultaneous run in Afghanistan.
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