Loving My Wounded Warrior

Nina Simone - I Shall Be Released - YouTube

2014-02-23T07:28:00.001-08:00

Nina Simone - I Shall Be Released - YouTube:

In my heart I am free

'via Blog this'

Loving a Wounded Warrior Sometimes Can Be Overwhelming

2014-02-12T12:12:00.001-08:00

Today has been a difficult day for my wounded warrior. Good Mental health is always an important part of recovery. I have to remind myself often that when he lashes out not to take it personally. Every thing he is experiencing is a creation of his own doing. We can only put distance between us for the moment to ensure safety for all involved. We can love and be loved from a far. Today I wear my ribbon.

Dido - Here With Me

2012-04-15T07:03:00.001-07:00

Dido - White Flag

2012-04-15T07:01:00.001-07:00

Hushed Moments

2012-01-04T17:49:00.000-08:00

So many of my moments with my wounded warrior are hushed and Gentle whispers..There is comfort in those moments when we are together...it is was time has afforded us after so many years...

Surprise is such an understatement when his parting whisper was no longer just a whisper...

"MCW"

It's going to be alright..

Hearts Never Break

2011-12-17T21:38:00.000-08:00

A person’s heart never breaks. However beliefs do,and when they do, it can be emotionally painful. When a partner cheats on us, or lies to us, our beliefs about who they are, what they mean to us, and beliefs about our future dissolve. We call it heart break but it is really a disillusionment of beliefs. From the perspective that I see things from now.. I am very grateful to the people in my life that broke my heart. Those were the periods of my greatest awakenings from illusions.

Fine Words

2011-12-12T07:43:00.001-08:00

“Four things greater than all things are, - Women and Horses and Power and War” Rudyard Kipling

Meeting the Horses for Our Wounded Warriors...

2011-12-11T17:49:00.000-08:00

What an incredible day I had. Thank you Neale for your interest in helping your fellow Wounded Warriors...I had such a great time meeting all the horses.

Horses4Heros

2011-12-10T21:12:00.001-08:00

Horses have a long history of being used in programs aimed at rehabilitating individuals suffering from emotional, physical and mental health wounds. One particular therapeutic riding program known as Horses for Heroes, is gaining popularity as an alternative therapy for service members suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and other physical wounds sustained in combat.

In 2007, the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) developed the Horses for Heroes program after taking a close look at similar pilot programs conducted at Ft. Hood and Ft. Meyer. With the support of the VA and numerous NARHA approved riding centers, the Horses for Heroes program is available to combat Veterans, free of charge, at several facilities throughout the U.S.

About the Program
Many service members battling PTSD avoid social settings that require interaction with others; and by doing so they often become isolated, depressed and detached from the world around them.
One of the many goals of the program is to reintegrate the service member into a calm, peaceful social environment. This goal is accomplished by enabling the service member to work on an individual basis with a horse and therapist. Over time, the service member's confidence and ability to trust increases, but those aren’t the only benefits.

A Good Match
Before beginning the riding portion of the program all participants are carefully matched with a horse that's suited for their particular needs. For example, a service member who is struggling with anxiety issues is paired with a low-key, calm horse.
After being matched with a horse, the service member then takes time to get acquainted with the animal, which begins the bonding process between horse and rider.

Horses for Heroes Program Looking For Military Vets « CBS Dallas / Fort Worth

2011-12-10T17:45:00.000-08:00

Horses for Heroes Program Looking For Military Vets « CBS Dallas / Fort Worth

Pressure and Release | The American Legion's BurnPit

2011-12-10T17:43:00.000-08:00

Pressure and Release | The American Legion's BurnPit

Love Me Or Leave Me - Nina Simone - YouTube

2011-11-20T19:44:00.000-08:00

Love Me Or Leave Me - Nina Simone - YouTube: "http://youtu.be/V-QY-H2ekZo"

'via Blog this'

2011-11-13T12:23:00.001-08:00

There is so much uncertainty in our lives that when we experience a
" Real Moment" we need to embrace it for what it is...All my moments with you, however brief, are the "Real Moments" for me...So I embrace them as I embrace you..

2011-11-11T10:52:00.001-08:00

Today like every day I honor my Wounded Warrior "MCW"

Amends to My Warrior

2011-10-20T10:25:00.001-07:00

I have in some many moments failed you…I failed to understand how connected we truly are in spirit…I failed you when I turned from you and I failed you when I said I could live with out you…I failed you when I did not answer your calls…I failed you when I did not come to you the moment you asked me to…I failed you when you were simply loving me…How do I make amends?

My greatest failure was in trying to live without you….you have proven I can not…so there it is big guy…you have my heart and soul…

Morning Well Spent

2011-10-20T09:19:00.001-07:00

There is a lot to be said in those “Now” moments with you..yet every moment we are together in an embrace so much is left unsaid…I take great comfort in the knowledge that you are the reason for a morning well spent…you are my Hero is so many ways…

Horses for Heroes

2011-10-20T05:10:00.001-07:00

“MCW” this one is for you..I know how much this experience is changing who we are..and what an incredible journey it has been…thank you for sharing your life and your healing with me….may your horse always touch your soul as you do mine….

"Working with horses helps Veterans to get back in touch with humanity again, Touching another life form that is an American Icon, representing Power, Strength and Nobility - to make friends with that develops self-esteem where the Veteran can go to touching a horse to shaking hands with another Veteran in that combat trust bond and from there then they an move into other areas of life - Reintegration." ~ Sgt.Brandi, USMC

There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.
~ Winston Churchill

Every moment spent with my wounded warrior after he has come from the stables is a calming moment...His demeanor, his words, his gentle touch, his very essence is calming...my experience of loving someone with P.T.S.D. has taught me to be open to love even in the face of uncertainty.. ...and with the healing powers of a special horse my warrior assures me that every thing will be alright..

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Using Horses to Treat PTSD
The U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs estimates that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder afflicts as many as one-quarter of the troops returning from the Middle East, or about 300,000 men and women. The growing field of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is showing great promise in treating veterans.
For thousands of years horses have been mystical, magical creatures playing the role of companion, transportation, gladiator, entertainer and more. Now they are also playing the role of psychotherapy assistant through a discipline known as Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) which is increasingly being used to treat war veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Equine Therapy for Emotional Healing
In Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, horses are used as tools for military veterans to gain self-understanding and emotional growth. It recognizes the bond between animals and humans and the potential for emotional healing that can occur when a relationship is formed between the two species.

Sunrise With My Warrior

2011-10-19T20:06:00.000-07:00

"MCW" My Wounded Warrior

2011-10-05T18:48:00.000-07:00

Here's to 5 years today with the most interesting person to ever enter my life...You know who you are big guy...Our time together has been a carnival...thank you for ALWAYS being there even when I thought I did not need you....