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Kstoufer21

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2 reviews

Review for Brain Wellness Fund, Bethesda, MD, USA

Rating: 5 stars  

First off: Beth was outstanding representing the Brain Wellness Fund. From day one she calmed my nerves and made me feel appreciated. I knew from the first day I talked to her; she was an angel and believed so strongly in the treatments: that I was confident in making a decision to come out for six weeks. I left everything behind and got on a plane headed out there a month later and never looked back. To me it was days on a calendar and an investment if the treatment worked; where nothing had worked up to this point. I met with Dr. Esty on day one and we got to learn a lot about one another; which furthered my trust. I also met with Mike on the board who was so supportive and also part of the team.
Beth worked hard with another non-profit to ensure I got out there safe, and returned home; after treatment ended. She was the first to meet me when I got off the plane and the last person I saw from my window leaving. I had two great pilots; Mike and Bob.

My story: I suffered a TBI from Iraq and was never myself again. We got lit up a lot but it only took one 107mm Rocket to damage my brain. I was having a successful career in the military making Sergeant First Class in seven years and got out after 12 years. During my time in the service I competed at the Department of the Army level for NCO of the Year, I was inducted into the Audie Murphy Club and had other accolades: with the injury happening within a 1 1/2 of my departure. I knew I was not the same; and I knew I needed to get out to get treatment outside the military. I knew it was time to get out of the service because I could no longer continue with my career and be seeking treatment with the culture and climate of the Army at the time. At the time there was a stigma for anyone suffering post explosion injuries that were not visible to the naked eye. I was suffering from seizures, migraines, headaches, chronic back pain (herniated disc,annular tears, and rare traumatic neuromas around my spinal cord) and pts-to name a few. I kept it bottled up inside like a secret and signed a declination to move on past my reenlistment. I got out and sought care at the VA after the first day of my ETS. It was a downhill spiral of hideous care from there. I soon found myself out of pocket thousands of dollars a month in private care; and was able to find a good team of specialist; whom helped me but never dealt with my type of issues. Draining all of my savings as I spent multiplies of tens of thousands of dollars. These specialist were not taught in medical school how to solve these types of problems that post explosion injuries were causing: but boy the Docs tried their best as years went by and by; and money went out and out.

I did not know what to expect coming out to MD but figured I had nothing to lose. Nothing worked until this. The VA had failed me years ago, and I struggling within my own life living day by day with care from specialist.

So what happened: I was able to get state of the art treatment through a private institution in Bethesda MD: The Brain Wellness and Biofeedback Center (Dr. Mary Lee)/ and treatment paid for by the Brain Wellness Fund-a 501c3. I was able to get parts of my brain working again through a series of these treatments that have not been working since my injury. I came there with a mind set that I will not believe that this is going to work; unless proven otherwise. Somewhere along the first several treatments I began to notice a change in my brain. I was getting better. I was having less migraines, I wasn't having seizures, I was regaining some mental alertness and capacity. My speech was becoming more fluent. I was indeed proven otherwise.

This treatment needs to get out there; this treatment needs to get in the VA system. This treatment needs to be brought up to our congressman to get on the VA schedule. I have my life back, or at least a better life than I can remember. My family has noticed subtle changes in me; immediately. I feel better, because I am better, because I allowed the Brain Wellness Fund to help me. Please donate; and realize that I am just one story, and there can be thousands more. This truly changed my life and health. Thank you Beth-thank you to the board of the Brain Wellness Fund, and thank you Dr. Esty. You will forever have my gratitude, and be part of a life changing treatment that occurred over six weeks. My grandkids and greatgrandkids will know about what happened not only during my time in service but how a few came together to pick me up out of the trenches; when other medial professionals kept kicking me back down as I tried to crawl out.-Thank you and please support the organization that has helped me with actual proven treatments that are beyond theoretical; when there is measured objective evidence of my improvement(s).

Role:  Client Served
bmruk (Nonprofit Staff) wrote:

A few months ago, a veteran from across the country asked me, "why would you do this for me?" Question answered! Can't think of a better reason to wake up in the morning than making the world a brighter place for national heroes like you sir!! Thank you for your service!

 

Review for Veterans Airlift Command, Saint Louis Park, MN, USA

Rating: 5 stars  

Jenna was outstanding representing the VAC for my flight out and back from D.C. to KC. She was amazing showing her support and that of the VAC. I had two great pilots; Mike and Bob. I suffered a TBI from Iraq and was able to get state of the art treatment through a private institution in Bethesda MD: The Brain Wellness and Biofeedback Center (Dr. Mary Lee)/ and treatment paid for by the Brain Wellness Fund-a 501c3 (Beth-"Supporting treatment for our nations heroes with TBI and PTS"). I was able to get parts of my brain working again through a series of these treatments that have not been working since my injury. I cannot thank enough the VAC. They will forever have my gratitude, and be part of a life changing treatment that occurred over six weeks. Thank you soo much for the pilots (Mike and Bob) and VAC support to make this happen.

Role:  Client Served