Lisa first got involved through WWP’s Warriors to Work program (then called Track) and got help completing her college degree. “Wounded Warrior Project impacted my life, first of all, because it got me out of my house,” Lisa said. “Second, I was able to complete college and graduate. To me, that was very important. I was able to do that because of the people at Wounded Warrior Project. They made me feel comfortable. They made sure they let me know that you can do whatever it is that you set your mind to do.” Lisa found connections with other veterans who had endured similar experiences, and eventually participated in Project Odyssey®, a 12-week mental health program that begins with an adventured-based weekend and follows up with weekly checkups. “When I came back home, I was fighting to be that old Lisa because that’s who everyone knew,” Lisa reflected. “This is me now. I have PTSD. I have TBI. I have two messed up knees and all this stuff wrong with me, but it’s okay. I’m much stronger now than I was prior to it, and I was pretty strong then. I’m a new, improved Lisa.” Getting Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable Meanwhile, Jason said he first experienced his transition into the civilian world as avoidance. He avoided other people because he didn’t understand how TBI, and PTSD had changed him. His approach shifted when he attended a Project Odyssey. Jason learned to redefine himself: “Yes, you’ve been a soldier, but that’s not your defining moment. You have more life to live after having been a soldier. There’s more to you as a human than being a soldier,” Jason said. The first Project Odyssey he attended taught him about “being a husband and a better human being.” He then went to a couples Project Odyssey with his wife Sabine. Together, they learned about structural changes that happen in the brain after TBI and the chemical changes that can occur with PTSD. “Understanding what happened helped, and also the teambuilding that centers on good communication between us,” Jason said. “Now I press myself to go ahead and be comfortable in being uncomfortable. The more you interact, the more you grow as a person.” Through WWP, Jason also attended outpatient intensive treatment designed for veterans at Massachusetts 34
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General Hospital’s Home Base program, part of Warrior Care Network®. Through twoto three-week intensive outpatient programs, Warrior Care Network provides care tailored to each veteran and family member. It integrates behavioral health care, rehabilitative medicine, wellness, nutrition, mindfulness training, and family support. “During Warrior Care Network, what stood out is how much hard work it was,” Jason said. “It was exhausting, but a good kind of exhaustion. Whether it was group activities, or one on one therapy, you had to be there with the frame of mind to better your health – you’re there to get yourself better or at least make progress.” WWP flew Sabine to Boston for the weekend, where she attended sessions and participated in equine therapy with Jason. “It felt great to have her there,” Jason said. Warrior Care Network provides care tailored to each veteran and family member. It integrates behavioral health care, rehabilitative medicine, wellness, nutrition, mindfulness training, and family support. No two cases of TBI are the same. Veterans served by WWP can also avail themselves of assistance through WWP’s Independence Program. Although TBI continues to challenge veterans, warriors like Jason and Lisa are showing how reaching out for help can benefit them and their families. WWP works to ensure warriors get the care they need, and know they are not alone. Read more about how WWP helps: https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org. About Wounded Warrior Project Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition.
