Maximilian Catalano

Kalen Patterson is a 29-year-old Afghanistan veteran from Ray, Ohio. He spends his free time racing his ATV, building his new house and spending time with his pets. Kalen posing at his mother’s house in Ray, Ohio on November 11, 2018. 

Kalen has his dog, Peaches, tattooed on his right hand. He has tattoos of his pets and hobbies all over his body. Kalen got PTSD from his time deployed in Afghanistan and says his dog and racing help him cope.

“My dog is the main reason I’m alive.”

Kalen used to race professionally when he was younger, now it is one of his hobbies. He calls himself an adrenaline junkie and cites that as the reason for racing and joining the army. His trophies hang in his mother’s house.

Kalen riding his ATV at the Wildwood Lake Raceway on November 4, 2018. Kalen says racing is ninety percent cleaning and working on his bike, but is worth it for thrill of being on the track.

Kalen working on his bike in his garage on November 11, 2018. He is constantly working hands-on to distract himself from his PTSD.

Kalen’s mother, Trisha Patterson, and his niece watch him race on November 4, 2018. Trisha comes to all his races and times his laps, she worries that Kalen got injured if he doesn’t come back in time and is relieved to see him race past. 

Kalen’s helmet and tires splattered with mud after a long race. Kalen says getting muddy is refreshing and helps with the strain riding puts on his body.

Kalen loads his ATV onto his truck to drive home after the race. He gets exhausted near the end and says every lap feels like it should be the last one.

Kalen shows off his tattoos in his garage, they represent different aspects of his life, like his animals, music and photography.

Kalen served in Afghanistan from 2011-2012 working to defuse bombs. 

“It’s a rush you can’t ever match again.” 

After he served, he started drinking every day for five years, and only quit after his second DUI. He said he would return in a heartbeat if he could, just for the adrenaline rush that he misses. Now his uniform sits in his basement.

Kalen’s 3-year-old, 10 foot long, Ultra-Ivory Tiger Reticulated Python, Louise. Louise is named after a character from Bob’s Burgers and lives in his basement.

Kalen holding Louise in his basement on November 11, 2018. Louise is now his prized python, after his 15-foot long snake Tina got sized and euthanized by the government for exceeding the legal length. Tina is tattooed on his left hand. 

Kalen working on his new house where he built everything but the foundation. Kalen works in a Walmart warehouse from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m. and then comes here to work on his house until late. November 30, 2018.

Double checking his marks before the cut in his workshop. He works on his house by himself most days and uses music to help him work.

Kalen in his workshop lining up where to cut the trim on November 30, 2018.

Kalen cutting his trip in his workshop. It’s a messy process that leaves most of his workshop coved in sawdust. 

Kalen uses a torch to burn the wood on his new cabinets. His favorite design styles are industrial and steam punk.

Kalen working on his new home. His current goals are to get his head on straight, stop drinking, and move into this house. He plans on staying here for a while.