By Patricia Sands, WTC Stratcom
Editor’s Note: Project Healing Waters is a participant in the AW2 Community Support Network.
Project Healing Waters was founded in 2005 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), with the help of local Trout Unlimited (TU) and Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) volunteers. PHWFF provides basic fly-fishing, fly casting, and fly tying instruction for wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers and Veterans, ranging from beginners to those with prior fly-fishing experience who are adapting their skills to their new abilities.
While initially focused on military personnel in the Washington, DC area, PHWFF expanded and now offers its services to active military personnel and Veterans in military and Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals across the nation. Currently, PHWFF offers services in more than 70 locations in the US and Canada. Since its inception, PHWFF helps disabled active duty Soldiers and Veterans to overcome the obstacles associated with their military service-related disabilities. The relearning of the fine motor skills required in fly-fishing and fly tying proves to be particularly effective in the overall rehabilitation of the disabled.
While PHWFF emphasizes the skills of fly-fishing and fly tying to help the patients regain the use of their damaged bodies, perhaps the greatest benefit is in their realization that a more normal life is possible. Fly-fishing can be a lifelong recreation, both physically and emotionally. As one Soldier explained, “PHWFF helped in getting my head together during my recovery at Walter Reed. It was the perfect outlet for me while I was trying to adjust to my injuries and was a great help in broadening my horizons, giving me the hope and confidence that, no matter what my disabilities, I could still achieve and enjoy the activities of the outdoors and accomplish what I wanted to.“
To learn more about the organization, please visit the Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Inc website. Additional information on nonprofit organizations may be found on the National Resource Directory website.
