My Nonprofit Reviews

The past three years tested my resilience and fighting spirit. While stationed at LRMC, for about 2 years, we were in restriction of movement, stopped all fitness testing, lost my dog who was my companion for 11 years, got COVID-19, and then my husband was diagnosed with advanced stage Rectal Cancer. Despite having overcome many challenges since a young age, this time it felt as my world was falling apart. I tried on my own to get into mindfulness and meditation but was not able to get my self to be in the present. During a casual conversation with other Army Nurses I was told of an upcoming class called “AMP” for Veteran Women. I signed for the class and it started me in a journey which started to create a sense of acceptance and internal peace despite all the external changes happening to me. The practice and feeling of peace and Serenity developed even stronger and further during my participation in the BRAVE Retreat. When first meeting all the Veteran Women participants, I was not sure how the next few days were going to evolve. Through the guidance of our facilitators and the beautiful surroundings with nature for the first time I was not only able to focus in the present but also to feel safe and be okay with looking at my past and start to used skills of meditation and mindfulness to face painful experiences from my past in an environment where I felt not only safe but also supported by many other women who themselves had to find their own paths. I faced my fears of rock climbing and feeling safe went up the rock as far as I could. I am so much looking forward to the continuing journey with the Brave Program and the other wonderful programs offered through Veterans PATH. This is a path for myself because I feel blessed to have been able to be served by this amazing organization while still on Active Duty. I even go to experience the benefits of what I learned while training for the new Army ACFT. I have always been challenged by the two mile run but found now that by doing some of the breathing exercises while running and bringing myself to the present I could actually physically perform better. It is clear to myself that I am the one getting in my own way. Grateful to Veterans PATH and BRAVE program and it’s wonderful leadership for helping me and many other Veterans find safe and healthy ways to face and express our pain and also to find joy in our daily life wherever we be at. Thank YOU! I am inspired to help other Veterans and future Veterans find the “PATH” that I found.