Show at Winnipeg's Pyramid Cabaret to raise money for PTSD prevention
It's in memory of Cpl. Ken Barker, an RCMP dog handler who died by suicide following his retirement
A special show at Winnipeg's Pyramid Cabaret is honouring Cpl. Ken Barker, who died by suicide in July 2014 after suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for years, and raising awareness about prevention.
The show, which takes place on Saturday, will feature a number of artists including Winnipeg's Ozconscious, Laurie MacKenzie, Wendy Bird and Jeffrey Hatcher`s current band, The Fuse.
All proceeds from the show go to Heroes are Human, a charity for PTSD treatment and prevention.
According to Tema Conter Memorial Trust, Canada`s leading provider of peer support, family assistance and training for public safety and military personnel dealing with operational stress and PTSD, 30 first responders and eight military members have died by suicide in the country.
Barker's widow, Shari, said it's because people have not become comfortable acknowledging they need help yet.
"Sadly, Ken was held in such high regard by his peers and friends and family but in his case, and I think a lot of cases there's shame in [PTSD]," she told CBC.
"I think for Ken he just felt like it was a weakness for so long. It's just so heartbreaking … heroes are human just resonates. They're just human."
Hugh Swandel and Barker were longtime friends, and Swandel is organizing the show to bring out any good he can from the tragic death.
"I really wanted our children to see that out of something really bad, something good to come. We all struggled to help Ken for a long time and we couldn't ultimately succeed," he said.
Swandel even arranged for a Gibson guitar signed by Elvis Costello to be the show's raffle prize.
Both Shari and Swandel know the show is something Ken would be proud of and something he would want to attend himself.
"Just mentioning Ken's love of music, he would love to be there tonight. He always had a lot of fun at anything to do with music and I know it helped him," Swandel said, nearly crying.
"It's not a pity party. We enjoy him and I never want to forget him."
Tickets are $25 and the show starts at 8 p.m.