“For nearly 16 years I struggled with being disconnected, numb and irritable. I had recurring nightmares and struggled with acute anxiety.”
This is how Eric begins his story. He is a Veteran who fought in the Middle East. When he came home, he realized his mental health was deteriorating. His doctors diagnosed him with PTS (Post Traumatic Stress) and a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury).
Eric was going through a difficult time. However, he wasn’t going to sit there and wait for things to get better – he was going to take the first steps himself. He began researching programs that could help him.
One stood out: Warrior PATHH (Progressive and Alternative Training for Helping Heroes). Warrior PATHH is a non-clinical, peer-to-peer program that helps Veterans and first responders make positive changes in their life. Their focus is on post-traumatic growth – turning struggle into strength. “It was exactly what I needed,” said Eric.
There was just one problem. Warrior PATHH is in Rogers, Arkansas - almost 400 miles away from Eric’s home in Clarksville, Tennessee. Eric couldn’t afford a round trip airline ticket, and he knew he couldn’t drive that far. It seemed like there was no way out.
Luckily for Eric, Angel Wings for Veterans (a program of Mercy Medical Angels) stepped in to help. Their partnership with American Airlines enabled Eric to fly to Warrior PATHH - for free! As Eric learned at Warrior PATHH, sometimes the only way out of a struggle is through it.
After attending Warrior PATHH, Eric is doing much better. He can deal with the struggles as they come instead of almost being pulled under every time. Life is presenting him with new opportunities, and he’s able to focus on that.
“By allowing me the opportunity to travel,” said Eric, “I was given my life back!”
If you're a patient or a have a family member who needs free medical flights, reach out to us about your transportation needs. We're here to help you access the medical care you need.
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