healing DAV sponsors women veterans retreat to promote ‘post-traumatic growth’ By Mary Dever Through intense therapy and peer support at the retreat, the women discovered life-changing techniques to help overcome many of their most difficult symptoms. The bond among these veterans will continue to provide additional support as they apply what they learned to their everyday lives. A place of C lose to where the historic Appalachian Trail and Shenandoah River cut through northern Virginia lies Boulder Crest Retreat, a 37-acre backdrop of picturesque land dedicated to helping veterans and their families achieve optimal health and wellness. Here, retired U.S. Army veteran Valerie McIntosh, alongside five women veteran peers, found healing. “I’d attended retreats before and found useful informa-tion,” said McIntosh. “But when I’d get home, I’d be back in the real world again. This time it was different.” Among many programs designed to help military members, veterans and their families deal with the challenges they face after illness or injury is the Warrior PATHH (Progressive and Alternative Training for Healing Heroes). Warrior PATHH is the nation’s first nonclinical program designed to cultivate and facilitate growth among those struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder. Teaming with Boulder Crest, DAV proudly sponsored its first women veterans Warrior PATHH retreat last winter through the DAV Charitable Service Trust, to help create an environment for participants to comfortably share their experiences and work toward healing. McIntosh said it was the intimacy of the small-group approach that made such an impact. “There were only six of us, so when it came time to share or to do an exercise, we were never split up,” said McIntosh. “We were able to really address our experiences, both from the military and our lives before, and discover how small things may have made a huge impact.” McIntosh, who suffers from traumatic brain injury and PTSD, has been putting on a brave face for a long time— seeming fine on the outside but suffering emotionally. Until now, she believed her situation was normal. “I had condemned myself to a life of darkness, fighting depression and the feeling of constantly trying to lift myself out of it,” said McIntosh. “I didn’t think it was possible to live another way after all I’ve 16 DAV MAGAZINE MARCH | APRIL 2018
Issue Articles
A place of healing
Mary Dever
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