Dear My Fellow Veterans,

Serving in a combat enviroment presents many challenges that, while we train extensively for, can be beyond our ability to comprehend during our service.  In theatre, we do what we need to do.  We complete each mission to the best of our ability.  It's not until we return home and the welcome home parties and parades end that these challenges appear.  These challenges may show up in the form of excessive anger, insomnia, flashbacks, depression, isolation or even suidicial thoughts.  Because we have been trained to be rough, tough, brave and often times emotionless, which we have to be at war, at home this doesn't work.   In our efforts to maintain our tough exterior, we may turn to drugs, alcohol or even violence.  However, while a temporary fix, we know that this only exacerbates our situation. 

Because I and my colleagues have experienced what you may be going through, we established There & Back Again.  Our challenges lead us to alternative ways to process our war experience and manage our symptoms of PTSD.  There & Back Again offers yoga, meditation and traditional and alternative therapies to you at no cost.  In conjunction with traditional therapies, these techniques put you in control of our own wellness.  When we are at war, we operate at a heightened sense of awareness to respond to the constant  threats around us.  When we come home, we need to learn how to bring that heightened awareness back to balance.  Our bodies serve us during war but we must serve our bodies once we return.  Yoga and meditation help you balance your nervous system so that you can connect to that calm and peaceful state of mind that we all seek.

Many veterans who are enrolled in There & Back Again's programs have learned techniques to manage anxiety, anger, connect with others who share similar war experience and most importantly, they are able to sleep. 

While I suffered with PTSD for over a decade after my return from the Gulf War, my experience has turned into a gift.  I am now grateful for my experience because it now allows me to share with you today what helped me and many other veterans manage symptoms and go on to fully participate in life.  While the road to full reintegrate your mind and body may be rocky now, it doesn't have to be long-term.  Check out what we have to offer and I promise that you will learn techniques that work for you.

Be well,

Sue Lynch, Executive Director