How a Veteran Found Healing and Shares Hope with Others
Living with Trauma
Trauma has been part of Kathy’s story since childhood. When she grew up, she joined the Army to serve her country and pay her way through college. On deployments to Saudi Arabia and Iraq, Kathy worked as a research psychologist, assessing the sleep and performance of helicopter pilots.
While Kathy valued the opportunity to serve others through the military, the experience also caused her multiple kinds of trauma that led her to a breaking point. Following her deployments, coping with worsening PTSD symptoms, she began to avoid unfamiliar social situations and grew isolated.
“I have a hard time being around people other than my family. I startle very easily. It is very embarrassing for me, and I don’t like to be out in public because of that,” says Kathy.
A Place to Feel at Home
Realizing she needed help, Kathy attended a class for combat Veterans led by a local VA chaplain. As she says:
“I had a good experience there… I was wanting to push myself outside of my comfort zone, especially to be around people I didn’t know at all.”
Taking a step toward greater healing, Kathy and her husband Mike signed up for a Joni and Friends Warrior Getaway. Before arriving, Kathy feared that she would be the only Veteran who experienced an invisible disability. But as she observed those around her and heard fellow Veterans open up about the trauma they had experienced, Kathy quickly felt at home.
“I was relieved that others also had invisible wounds. It was good to know I wasn’t alone. This made me feel like I was at home.”
Kathy
The next time Kathy and Mike came to Warrior Getaway, Kathy felt a whole new level of comfort. As she says:
“I knew what to expect, so I had a lot less anxiety. I knew I could talk as much or as little as I wanted and that was okay. It was okay for me to be me.”
Discovering Fresh Purpose at Family Retreat
Kathy and Mike decided to give back to the Joni and Friends community. To help offer respite, healing, and a deep sense of belonging to other families navigating disabilities, they signed up to volunteer at Family Retreat.
“We knew people who had served us at Warrior Getaway also participated in Family Retreat. We wanted to give back because we were so grateful for the experience.”
Kathy
Family Retreat proved to be a fruitful week as it was the first time in more than 20 years that Mike and Kathy could serve others side by side. Mike loved serving as a one-on-one volunteer with a young man with Down syndrome. And Kathy valued the opportunity to create a safe space for the attendees where they could be known and valued, limits, struggles and all.
Through Joni and Friends—both as attendees and as volunteers—Kathy and Mike have found a meaningful path toward healing, trusting God to provide exactly what they needed to glorify him every step of the way.
When you give to Joni and Friends Central California, you make it possible for Veterans and families navigating disability to discover hope and healing in Christ. Your generosity makes Warrior Getaway, Family Retreat, and all Joni and Friends programming possible!
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