In their own words

Chris

Army · 2006 - 2010 · August 20, 2026

Share Your Experience

What's one thing you wish civilians understood about recovery after service?: You can be with people you love & who love you yet still feel completely alone. This quiet isolation is a big part of recovery after service, and most civilians never see it.
What's a moment in your recovery when you realized things were actually getting better?: The moment I realized I could talk about certain things without the same weight in my chest. It wasn’t gone, but it was lighter, and that felt like progress.
How has your definition of “strength” changed since you started recovery?: Strength isn’t about never breaking. It’s about getting back up, asking for support when you need it, and still moving forward.

Creative Coping

What's a non-obvious activity or hobby that has helped you sit with hard feelings without using?: Fishing. It keeps my hands busy and my mind just occupied enough that the difficult feelings can be there without taking over or pushing me toward old habits.
Have you found a way to use music, art, writing, or physical work to process a tough memory?: Yes, through playing guitar and listening to uplifting music have both helped me process tough memories. The guitar gives my hands something to do and lets the feelings move through without getting stuck, and the right music can shift the weight of a memory enough that it feels more manageable.
What's your go-to move when PTSD symptoms show up and you need to ground yourself?: When PTSD symptoms hit, my go-to is finding a quiet place in nature. I sit, meditate, and refocus until the intensity eases and I feel more grounded again.

Supporting Others

What advice would you give to the person you were six months ago?: Stop putting everyone else first when you have nothing left. You’re not always sure what to do for yourself, and the motivation and energy just aren’t there. Start small, ask for help with the next step, and treat yourself with the same care you give others.
What's a myth about PTSD or recovery that you'd want to clear up for another Veteran?: PTSD is not weakness. It can affect people even when they don’t feel like they’ve been through anything “truly traumatic.” Trauma doesn’t always look the way people expect, and struggling with it doesn’t mean you’re broken or soft. It’s a normal response to abnormal experiences.
How do you show up for a battle buddy who’s struggling without trying to “fix” them?: I show up by just being there to listen without judgment and letting them know they’re not alone. Sometimes a battle buddy doesn’t need someone to solve the problem or tell them what they should do. They just need someone willing to sit with them, hear what they’re going through, and remind them they don’t have to carry it alone.

Routine and Purpose

What small daily habit has unexpectedly made the biggest difference in your stability?: Making my bed every morning. It seems like such a small thing, but it gives me an immediate sense of accomplishment and starts the day with a little structure. No matter what the rest of the day brings, I’ve already completed one task and started moving in the right direction. Plus, at the end of the day, I get to come back to a nice, neat bed, which gives me a sense of calm and helps close out the day on a good note.
What's something you're rebuilding in your life right now: work, relationships, trust, sleep, identity?: Identity, for sure. For a long time, a lot of who I was came from the roles I had, what I accomplished, and what other people needed from me. Right now, I’m trying to figure out who I am outside of all of that. What I enjoy, what gives me purpose, and what I want the next chapter of my life to look like. I’m still figuring it out, but I think there’s something valuable about getting the chance to rediscover yourself and decide who you want to be moving forward.
What does a meaningful day look like for you today, compared to before recovery?: A meaningful day for me today is one where I feel present and actually engaged in my life. Before, I think I put a lot more value on what I accomplished or how productive I was. Now I appreciate the smaller things more. Getting outside, doing something I enjoy, having a good conversation, taking care of myself, or just having some peace in my day can make it meaningful. I’ve learned that not every day has to be a great day to still be a good one.

Forum Engagement

What kind of post would you want to see more of in this community?: I’d like to see more posts focused on building community and bringing back some of the camaraderie a lot of Veterans miss after leaving the military. Posts where people can talk, share experiences, give each other a hard time, support one another, and just feel like they’re part of a team again. I think having a place where Veterans can genuinely connect and build those relationships is incredibly valuable.
What would make you feel safe enough to share harder parts of your story here?: Having a strong Veteran community full of people who understand where you’re coming from and genuinely want to support each other without judgment. Knowing I’m surrounded by people who have shared some of the same experiences and are willing to listen, support, and look out for one another would make it easier to open up about the harder parts of my story.
What's one question you could post that might help another Veteran feel less alone tonight?: What's something you're carrying right now you wish you didn't have to carry alone?

Sharing the VA Experience

What was the first VA appointment actually like for you?: Brutal and uncomfortable. I remember sitting there feeling like I didn’t belong and almost like I was a fraud for even being there. I looked around at other Veterans who seemed to have much worse disabilities than I did and questioned whether I deserved to be there at all.
What's one thing you wish someone had told you before you started the VA process?: I wish someone had told me I belonged there just as much as any other Veteran seeking help. I spent a lot of time comparing myself to other Veterans and convincing myself their struggles were worse than mine. I wish I had understood sooner that someone else having a harder road didn’t make what I was dealing with any less real or deserving of help.
How did you figure out which VA benefits you qualify for?: Mostly on my own through a lot of research and trying to figure out the system as I went. I later learned about VSOs and other organizations dedicated to helping Veterans understand their benefits and advocating for them throughout the process. I definitely wish I had known about those resources from the beginning.

Getting Through the Wait

What's helped you stay steady while waiting for a VA decision or appointment?: Staying connected with the Veteran community and the people in my life who understand the challenges I face. Having people I can talk to, lean on, or just spend time with helps keep me grounded when the waiting and uncertainty start getting frustrating.
Have you found any local or community resources that filled the gap during a long wait?: Yes. I’ve been fortunate to find several community organizations that have helped fill some of the gaps, including United Way of Broward County, Nobody Heals Alone Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, and Big Dog Ranch Rescue. Each has provided support, connection, or resources in different ways and reminded me there are people and organizations outside the VA who genuinely care about supporting Veterans.
What's a small routine or habit that's kept you grounded when the process felt stuck?: Sticking with my normal daily routine, even when I felt discouraged or frustrated with the process. There’s something grounding about finding peace in the normal parts of life and continuing to move forward, even when it feels like everything else is stuck.

Advocacy and Support

Who’s helped you push through the VA system: a VSO, peer, family member, or someone else?: The DAV was probably the most helpful VSO I worked with, but for the most part, I had to navigate the process on my own. I learned a lot through research, asking questions, and figuring things out as I went. Having the DAV as a resource definitely helped, but I still had to be persistent and advocate for myself throughout the process.
What's one tip you'd give a Veteran who just submitted their first claim?: Be patient, stay on top of your claim, and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. The process can be frustrating and confusing, so keep copies of everything, ask questions when something doesn’t make sense, and use a VSO or other Veteran resources when you need help. Most importantly, don’t get discouraged and give up just because the process takes time.
How do you keep track of appointments, deadlines, and paperwork without getting overwhelmed?: I use the notes, calendar, and reminders on my phone to keep everything organized in one place. If I have an appointment or deadline, I put it in immediately and set reminders so I don’t have to rely on remembering everything myself. Keeping it simple and using tools I already have makes the process feel a lot more manageable.

Mental Health and Recovery

What's a healthy coping tool you use when waiting for care feels frustrating or hopeless?: I go back to finding a quiet place in nature where I can disconnect for a little while and reset. Getting away from the noise, clearing my head, and just being present outside helps me regain some perspective when the frustration starts to feel overwhelming.
How do you balance patience with the system while still advocating for yourself?: I try to understand the timelines the VA is responsible for working within and give the process a fair chance to play out. If something goes beyond those timelines, I start asking questions and advocating for myself. For me, patience doesn’t mean sitting back indefinitely. It means knowing when to give the process time and when it’s appropriate to speak up.
Have you found ways to stay connected to support while you wait for VA mental health services?: Yes. Staying connected with the Veteran community has been a big part of it for me. I’ve found opportunities to connect with other Veterans through the VA, Wounded Warrior Project, Nobody Heals Alone, and United Way of Broward County events. Having those connections and being around people who understand has helped me maintain a sense of community and support while waiting for services.

Forum Engagement: VA

What would you post to help another Veteran who's stuck in a VA waiting period right now?: Don’t give up just because the process feels slow or frustrating. Keep advocating for yourself and take advantage of the resources available to help you navigate the system. VSOs, Veteran organizations, and other advocacy resources can help you understand your options and figure out what steps to take next. You don’t have to navigate the entire process on your own.
What question about the VA do you still have, and how can this community help you find the answer?: I’d frame this one as genuinely asking the community for their firsthand experience, since all three are areas where other Veterans could offer useful insight: I still have a few questions I’d like to learn more about from Veterans who have actually been through the process. How does CHAMPVA work in practice? Are there any VA programs or resources available for Veterans interested in a service dog? I’d also like to hear from Veterans who have successfully received referrals for mental health treatment through VA Community Care. What did the process look like for you, and what helped you successfully navigate it?

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