A Wounded Warrior’s Pixie Dust

Filed under Resources, Soldier and Family Story, Training, Uncategorized by on March 9, 2011 at 11:29 am {one comment}

By Emily Oehler, WTC Stratcom

Throughout my life there have been key people, that when I met them, I knew it was something special. I’m not talking about celebrities or those with political power. I’m talking about someone who centers you, makes you realize there are greater things in this life, and makes you a better person for knowing them.  Really special people. When I have met these rare people, I was instantly struck to my core—an indelible mark I would forever carry. I would say it was like a lightening strike, but for me, it’s been more like a feeling of being sprinkled with the joy of pixie dust. Magical.

Two years ago I met one such person and his wife—they both gave me a dash of pixie dust—retired SSG Shilo and Kathreyn Harris. On the flight home after meeting them at a work conference, I wrote Shilo and told him he was one of the most beautiful people I had met and that his strength, humor, compassion, and faith were inspiring. Since meeting the Harrises, I’ve had the honor of interviewing them a few times for work with the Warrior Transition Command (WTC) and the Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2).  During my last visit, they each sat down with me for separate three hour interviews to share the nooks and crannies of their life since Shilo was severely injured in Iraq. They shared their story in hopes of helping others cope with similar life-changing events. The newly finished 30-minute video is a compelling look at service, marriage, compassion, fortitude, faith, loss, hope and love. 

Warriors in Transition:  A Story of Resiliency demonstrates true strength of character:   

  • On February, 19, 2007, during his second deployment to Iraq, the vehicle SSG Harris was traveling in was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED), killing three Soldiers, wounding the driver, and leaving SSG Harris with third degree burns on 35% of his body. Due to the severity of his burns, SSG Harris lost his ears, tip of his nose, three fingers, and he sustained fractures to his left collar bone and C-7 vertebrae. Shilo told me, “You know when I’m talking to Soldiers I try to tell them you have to look at everything that God gives you as a gift. It may not always be the gift that you want, but you have to take what you get sometimes and turn it into something else. And that’s kind of what I’ve done.” Since retiring, Shilo has become an Outreach Coordinator for the Wounded Warrior Project. 
  • So that Shilo could recover at home, Kathreyn became his primary caregiver spending up to six hours a day on his wound care.  Additionally, she was mom to their daughter and stepmom to his three sons (and now a newborn baby!).  During his recovery, she became an Advocate for the Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) to support other wounded warriors at Brooke Army Medical Center.  Kathreyn shared with me that, “The situation that we’ve been put in, it would have been just as easy to let it guide our life into a negative  and into turmoil—and all the negative things that you can imagine but we’ve taken what happened to Shilo and we’ve turned it into a very positive thing.”

I don’t want to share too much and spoil watching the video, but I do hope you take time to watch them share their story—it’s not unlike many of the stories I’ve heard over the past four years shared by some of the 8,000 severely wounded Soldiers and Veterans I have had the honor of meeting. The Harrises’ story will feed your soul, inspire your heart, and captivate your mind. 

And, watch out for their pixie dust!

Operation Enduring Care – Wounded Warrior Family and Caregiver Conference

Filed under Behavioral Health, Training by on August 5, 2010 at 8:05 am {no comments}

By Patty Sands, WTC Stratcom

Thursday, September 23, 2010
Centennial Club at Biggs Airfield, Fort Bliss
0800 hrs – 1700 hrs

Click here to register for the conference. 

The USO is partnering with Fort Bliss to bring the first-ever Wounded Warrior Family and Caregiver Conference to the military community. Special guest presenters will share their expertise during a range of sessions, focusing on a variety of topics that include post-traumatic stress disorder, caregiver boundaries and intimacy, parenting, financial security and suicide prevention.

This conference is for spouses, parents, and caregivers of Wounded Warriors. Local school counselors and administrators are also welcome.

Two evening activities are scheduled to take place at the conclusion of the conference:

  • A BBQ for Wounded Warriors, their caregivers, and families, 1745 hrs – 1915 hrs.
  • A concert open to Fort Bliss and all conference attendees, 1930 hrs – 2100 hrs.

Is there a registration fee?
Registration is complimentary.

What is the deadline to register?
Space is available on a first come, first served basis. To guarantee your spot, please register by Monday, August 23. We will do our best to accommodate individuals who would like to register after this date.

Who is allowed to attend the conference?
Spouses, parents, caregivers and children of Wounded Warriors are invited to attend. Local school counselors and administrators are also welcome.

What meals will be served during the conference?
Lunch will be served along with morning and afternoon coffee breaks. A BBQ will be held in the evening and is open to caregivers and wounded warriors.

Are my children able to attend the conference?
Child care will be provided during the conference. Children are also welcome to attend the evening BBQ and concert. Please be sure to indicate on your registration form how many children you will be bringing.

Is there lodging available?
Yes. All active, guard and reserve members of the Armed Forces, retirees, and dependents are authorized to use Fort Bliss lodging facilities. Shuttle service is available to and from the El Paso International Airport. Courtesy transportation is also available to and from the Centennial Club. Call 915-565-7777 and reference the group code, “USOCON” to make your reservations.

Who will be speaking at the conference?
Guest speakers will include members of the military, wounded warriors and their caregivers, and subject matter experts. We will continue to update the conference agenda and expect to have a final agenda listing all confirmed speakers by late July.

Go to the event website

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Department of Defense of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the United States Department of Defense does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations.

Resiliency and Compassion Fatigue

Filed under Behavioral Health, General, Non-profit, Training by on April 26, 2010 at 4:03 pm {one comment}

By Sarah Greer, WTC Stratcom

At AW2 Annual Training on Friday, the staff attended a session on Resiliency and Compassion Fatigue. Like AW2 Family members and caregivers, AW2 staff are empathetic, compassionate people, and they are usually deeply emotionally invested in the AW2 Soldiers and Veterans they support.

As I listened to the session, I wondered if some of the suggestions could also be applicable to AW2 Family members and caregivers. I’m not a psychologist or therapist, so I’m not an absolute source, but I thought this information might be helpful to others.

The presenter, Dr. Lisa Landry, explained that resiliency involves sustaining good health and well-being during stressful conditions. It’s usually not a natural skill; instead, it’s usually a learned strength. This doesn’t mean that resilient people deal with everything perfectly, but that they actively work to prevent burnout, take care of themselves, and prevent suffering.

Dr. Landry suggested several tips for preventing compassion fatigue and increasing resiliency, such as:

  • Acknowledge what is happening – it’s okay to admit that you’re dealing with a difficult situation
  • Take a break when you need one
  • Listen to your Family and friends who notice you’re disengaged, irritable, or isolated
  • Take care of yourself physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually, and mentally; This includes getting enough sleep and exercise, eating well, and engaging in creative and social activities
  • Find a peer to talk to and share how you’re feeling; Another AW2 Family member or caregiver is probably going through a similar experience
  • Keep your sense of humor and let yourself have fun in life
  • Be aware of how you’re feeling and look for things that revitalize and invigorate you
  • Make time for yourself
  • Make time for your Family and friends

During the months I’ve supported AW2, I’ve had the privilege of talking to many AW2 Family members and caregivers – to spouses and parents, as well as AW2 children. I’ve been incredibly impressed by their big hearts and deep resilience. They show so much grace and compassion, and I hope they’ll continue to take care of themselves as they support their AW2 Soldiers and Veterans.

AW2 Annual Training—Changing Futures

Filed under Staff Story, Training by on April 24, 2010 at 1:55 am {one comment}

By COL Jim Rice, AW2 Director

We’ve had a great week at AW2 Annual Training with a focus on “Changing Futures.” Spending time with 200 members of the AW2 staff was powerful—these people have so much passion, so much empathy. They genuinely care about AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Families, and they want to do everything they can to support wounded warriors’ transition to life post-injury.

As we moved through the trainings sessions, AW2 Advocates had lots of detailed questions. They’ve asked how to help their wounded warriors get the most benefits possible—they wanted to understand all the details about each program and topic. I’ve been moved by the excitement in their voices when they share success stories about individual Soldiers, and I’ve seen the frustrations in their faces when they talk about hitting roadblocks. It’s also been heartening to see them support each other—suggesting solutions, offering encouragement, and reminding each other how our mission impacts lives.

The AW2 training team assembled a productive schedule, including in-depth sessions very applicable to the staff. These topics will enhance the quality service AW2 staff provide to AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Families:

  • Tricare and Medicare
  • Social Security for Wounded Warriors
  • Finance Information
  • AW2 Eligibility Requirements
  • Continuing on Active Duty/Reserve (COAD/COAR)
  • Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) and Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC)
  • Social Media Engagement
  • Resiliency and Compassion Fatigue
  • Four in-depth sessions on Veterans Affairs benefits

To the AW2 staff, thank you for all you do to “change futures” for AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Families. You are making a difference, and I’m proud to serve with you.

It’s All About the People

Filed under Training by on April 20, 2010 at 5:47 pm {no comments}

By COL Jim Rice, AW2 Director

AW2 Advocate Kathreyn Harris and AW2 Operations Management Specialist Scott Burdsall at AW2 Annual Training.

AW2 Advocate Kathreyn Harris and AW2 Operations Management Specialist Scott Burdsall at AW2 Annual Training.

You can feel the energy. Well, probably a more accurate statement is that you can hear the energy. Literally.

Year round, 200 people work all hours of the day, any day of the week, on any number of issues. While their work varies, their commitment never waivers and their mission remains focused. They provide local support for severely wounded, injured, and ill Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families. In local communities around the globe, these staff fulfill the Army’s promise of Warrior Care. Alone, they change lives. Combined, they are a force to be reckoned with—and this week, they’re all together in Dallas, Texas, for the Army Wounded Warrior Program’s Annual Training.

As I walk through the hotel, the staff’s passion is not only audible in the questions they ask and the lessons learned that they share, but it’s physical. You can see the joy when someone talks about their Soldier’s success or the agony over a Veteran’s set back. For these 200, it’s all personal. As it should be.

During this week, the entire AW2 staff will train together to ensure we’re the best we can be for our wounded warriors—they deserve nothing less.

As I talk to AW2 staff, I’m reminded of the power of people. How one peson can help an amputee continue on active duty. How one Veteran can inspire another. How one phone call can save a life. How one story can motivate a volunteer. How one company can provide a new career path.

Today during our general session, I looked at a room full of “ones” and was struck by the cumulative impact each “one” had on the lives of more than 6,000 wounded warriors. This group, AW2, is changing futures. Now that’s energizing.

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