By Tan Walker | Community Health & Human Services Intern
Army veteran, Chris Kind was left with a brain injury after a terrifying blast in Iraq. Unfortunately, his brain injury later led him to become diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. “It was just hard adjusting to that, you know, to that new norm,” Kind expressed to CBS News after returning home.
Post traumatic stress disorder develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. Fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to help defend against danger. The “flight or flight” response is a normal reaction meant to protect people from harm (NIH, 2023).
Although recreating the life that he knew was tough, the father of five found joy again through gardening. However, the severe burns on his body prevented him from being exposed to direct sunlight.
That’s when Hope for the Warriors- a nonprofit organization that offers assistance to veterans- came to the rescue and gifted Kind a $10,000 greenhouse as a thank you for his service (Home: Hope for the warriors 2022). This organization has granted veterans over 250 wishes, ranging from woodworking equipment to family vacations . The CEO of Hope For The Warriors described this experience as “life changing”.
Now, Kind can enjoy his gardening without fear and use his skills to bring others joy as well.
References
Home: Hope for the warriors. Hope for the Warriors | Restoring: Self, Family, Hope. (2022, December 15). Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/
Shamlian, J. (2023, January 18). Nonprofit helps fulfill wishes for wounded veterans. CBS News. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hope-for-the-warriors-wounded-veterans-wishes/
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Post-traumatic stress disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
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