“I can, I will… watch me.” female veteran, VA employee and miracle mentor

VA employee empowers her women Veteran peers

Department of Veterans Affairs
VAntage

“For women feeling alone, I want them to remember that their feelings are just as important as their male counterparts, and that there are many people and resources who are there for them." Ashley Gorbulja-Maldonado

VA’s Center for Women Veterans is advancing a cultural transformation throughout VA and aims to serve as a portal – monitoring and coordinating VA’s benefit services, outreach and programs – for women Veterans. One advocate is Ashley Gorbulja-Maldonado, a VBA employee and Army National Guard Veteran, who empowers other women Veterans with her mantra, “I can, I will… watch me.”

While Gorbulja-Maldonado found a purpose raising money for homeless women Veterans and their children by participating in Ms. Veteran American, advocating for business resources through Veterati, working with the American Legion, and presenting at workshops and conferences and more, she’s also worked to get her own women Veteran peers to actively engage with VA’s Women’s Health Services, the Center for Women Veterans, and the Office of Suicide Prevention.

Since the suicide rate for women Veterans is approximately twice that of non-Veteran women, and recent studies have shown the rate of suicide to be higher among women who report having experienced military sexual trauma (MST), Gorbulja-Maldonado’s mantra stresses setting the example for others to follow – including coming to VA.
read it here

Miracle of Travis Mills who never wanted any credit for what he did for others

Miracles with one arm

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
May 19, 2020

Stories from Wounded Times

When someone seems to have lost so much, most of us wonder how the hell they get up in the morning. Travis Mills is an example of how miracles happen. He wondered how he could make a difference when he got up in the morning...and wow, he sure did, thousands of times over!

Travis Mills never wanted any credit for what he did for others. He was too busy praising other veterans. He was surprised when he was told someone wanted to do a documentary about his life. 

It was filmed in Texas. His hero's welcome happened in Michigan. He started a foundation with the slogan "Never Give Up Never Quit" which he never did. The foundation is in Maine

Travis Mills Facebook

The Travis Mills Foundation supports post 9/11 recalibrated veterans and their families through long-term programs that help these heroic men and women overcome physical obstacles, strengthen their families, and provide well-deserved rest and relaxation.

We support these veterans through our nationally recognized retreat located in the Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine. Veteran families who have been injured in active duty or as a result of their service to our nation receive an all-inclusive, all-expenses paid, barrier-free vacation in Maine where they participate in adaptive activities, bond with other veteran families, and enjoy much-needed rest and relaxation in Maine’s outdoors.

"Want to see a miracle? Then be the miracle!"

Miracles happened because some believed they could

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
May 18, 2020

Stories from Wounded Times

Noah Galloway, Iraq veteran and double amputee could have returned home and spent his days felling sorry for what he lost. He decided to be make the best of his life his family and to inspire others. He also decided that he would become the first amputee model on Men's Health Magazine.

NoahGalloway.com

He also went on Dancing With The Stars and showed up on many news stations.

When things happen, there are many who decided to become the best they can be, like Galloway, who accepted "no excuses" for his life.

In 2015 Wounded Times had a post "Welcome Back To The New You" because nothing is constant in anyone. The other heading was "We can swear to you that this things pass" and PTSD can lose."

There is a quote by Thomas Wolfe that sums this up. "The human mind is a fearful instrument of adaptation, and in nothing is this more clearly shown than in its mysterious powers of resilience, self-protection, and self healing."

Anthony McDaniel was a triple amputee, but encouraged others around the world to not accept what they lost because there was so much more than could still do with what they had. He competed in the Wheel Chair Games.

Scott Smiley lost his sight but became an inspiration to others...and competed in Ironman. His wife Tiffany became his biggest supporter. "I could let my mind go that way and say we are ruined and we are not going to be able to do anything. Or I could go the other way and just be his biggest cheerleader. And I just sort of took that on, even if I didn't believe it myself."

A homeless veteran in Florida, Donald Gould was recorded playing the piano. The video went viral and he was reconnected with his son, because he never lost his love for music...or his son.

Over and over again, we see miracles happen everyday because someone takes that leap of faith to not just change their own life...but the lives of others.

"Want to see a miracle? Then be the miracle"  Bruce Almighty

Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two

10 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two[a] others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

We can settle for our lives as they are...or we can change. We can just think of ourselves, or we can acknowledge the pain we feel to understand the pain others are in...and inspire them to heal too. Much like the 72, no one knows their names but they changed the world, one miracle at a time.

17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

And when they returned, they had given glory to God, because God gave them the ability to be a miracle worker in His name.

23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.

And their eyes were all the reward they needed...because they beheld the greatest gift anyone could ever receive. The payment of seeing lives transformed from suffering into joy!

Veterans inspired to make miracles in the world!

Miracles after attempted suicides prevented

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
May 17, 2020

Stories collected from Wounded Times

In 2007, Owen Wilson attempted suicide and it was big news, and spread around the world. At the same time, we were facing 948 attempted active duty suicides, along with 99 who lost their lives. It was also the year when many survivors faced charges. A female reservists was facing charges after she survived. She tired again, and again, she survived. The charges against her were dropped and her story showed that her mental health crisis had been pushed aside by her superiors.

"I Sat around numerous times with a .44 in my mouth. But for some reason, I just couldn't pull the trigger. I don't know why." said a 57 year old veteran who had attempted it three more times.

Not long afterwards reports of veterans attempted suicides had grown more than "patient count" in the VA. The eyeopener in this piece of news was the age groups who topped the numbers from 2000-2007. 20-24 year old attempts went from 11 to 47 per year. 55-59 year old attempts also went up from 19 to 117.

By April of 2008, the reports on attempted suicides were increased to 1,000 per month in the VA system.

And then something amazing started to happen. Veterans were talking about their own pain so that others would understand it is not all doom and gloom. 

Two years later, veterans were trying to do whatever they could to change the outcome and encourage veterans to seek healing instead of suffering. That is what Jeremiah Workman did as the recipient of the Navy Cross.

He went on to write "Shadow of the Sword: A Marine's Journey of War, Heroism, and Redemption"

Chaplains were talking about their own struggles so that others would discover that asking for help is part of healing and part of their faith. After all, Jesus was preaching healing and not going it alone. Not to mention He kept asking for help. If the Son of God was not above asking for help...no one should have a problem with it.

Generals were talking about their own struggles with PTSD.

Medal of Honor recipients did a PSA on seeking help to heal PTSD.

Servicemembers were also doing whatever it took to save anyone in trouble. A sailor on the USS Carl Vinson was driving across a bridge when he saved a suicidal man...on his 60th birthday.

Dakota Meyer received the Medal of Honor, but after being home, he tried to commit suicide because he felt as if he had become a burden to his family. He broke his silent suffering knowing he could keep saving lives even back home.

Andrew O'Brien decided to end his silence on YouTube after the tried to commit suicide, knowing others may choose to live.

A Navy Captain decided talking about his own attempt at committing suicide would prevent someone from trying it too.

A female veteran, Mary Dague, lost both of her arms serving as a bomb tech in Iraq, but managed to save the life of another veteran across the country.

Within all the bad news out there, we should all do more than take comfort because of all the people trying to make a difference. We need to share their stories so that others are inspired to make miracles in the world!

Miracles still come true and Point Man proves it

Point Man turning lost into found and healed

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
May 16, 2020

From Point Man's website

Since 1984, when Seattle Police Officer and Vietnam Veteran Bill Landreth noticed he was arresting the same people each night, he discovered most were Vietnam vets like himself that just never seemed to have quite made it home. He began to meet with them in coffee shops and on a regular basis for fellowship and prayer. Soon, Point Man Ministries was conceived and became a staple of the Seattle area. Bills untimely death soon after put the future of Point Man in jeopardy.

However, Chuck Dean, publisher of a Veterans self help newspaper, Reveille, had a vision for the ministry and developed it into a system of small groups across the USA for the purpose of mutual support and fellowship. These groups are known as Outposts. Worldwide there are hundreds of Outposts and Homefront groups serving the families of veterans.

PMIM is run by veterans from all conflicts, nationalities and backgrounds. Although, the primary focus of Point Man has always been to offer spiritual healing from PTSD, Point Man today is involved in group meetings, publishing, hospital visits, conferences, supplying speakers for churches and veteran groups, welcome home projects and community support. Just about any where there are Vets there is a Point Man presence. All services offered by Point Man are free of charge. read the post here

From Wounded Times September 21, 2007

The leader of the Newark post, Russ Clark, is a retired Marine who fought in Vietnam. Clark was a Methodist minister for 25 years before leaving the pastorate due to life upheaval brought on by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He knows firsthand the devastation PTSD can bring into the lives of veterans and their families.

“I lost a family. I lost a ministry. Point Man is now my calling,” Clark explained. He said helping other veterans has brought him great healing. He encourages other veterans to reach out to those with similar experiences.

New video for Point Man International Ministries
April 30, 2008

One of the greatest blessing in what I do is coming into contact with people from all over the country and in many other nations. People who work on PTSD do it for one reason and that is to help people who have survived trauma. Some do it because someone they know was wounded so deeply they developed PTSD, as in my case with my husband. Some do it because they survived trauma and felt blessed they did not develop PTSD. Others simply do it out of the goodness of their hearts. Whatever the reason, all of us agree that each part that makes us human has been wounded and needs to be taken care of to heal as well as possible. The mind, body and spirit are all connected. This I know very well and so do groups like Point Man International Ministries.

There is a lot of talk in the news about the soldier who is an atheist being treated badly because he does not believe in God. As a Chaplain it is not our duty to convert anyone or force anyone into anything. We are supposed to be there to help as humans. Oh, sure our faith is the basis for what we do, but Chaplains come in all faiths. More on this later.

For most who offer their spiritual guidance and support, nothing else matters but the need for help, healing, forgiveness and compassion. That is what Point Man has been doing since 1984.

The power of Point Man Ministries from September 27, 2010 was written after I got back from a conference in Buffalo. It was easy to see how many others believed as I did. We not only knew that nothing was hopeless, we needed to be the helpers proving it. Tim was one of the most inspirational people I ever met.

Ret. Staff Sgt. Tim Pollock shared his story about his time in Iraq, healing, the people he met at Walter Reed during his 18 months of recovery and then what changed in him when he began to use the experiences he had coupled with the love he has for his fellow veterans. Tim could have let his wound and loss of part of his scull along with losing his eye turn him bitter but the love he has in his heart would not surrender. He has changed many lives because he answered Christ's call to help others.

Another is Paul.

Part two, Iraq vet talks about PTSD and his work with Point Man Ministries and how he put the gun in his mouth...

Researchers have been trying to identify the key of healing PTSD, and when they looked at the spiritual aspect, they found it. Religious Beliefs Affect Mental Health on the Boston Channel is one of the studies. We didn't need more proof because we saw it everyday. They looked at guilt, or later better known as "moral injury" as if they just discovered something new. We knew that if you healed the soul...you'd heal PTSD.

Countless lives have been saved because of the work representatives have done because they understood the power of faith in their own lives. They wanted to pass it on and have done it since 1984 because miracles still come true!