Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Get Moving Again

One of the major challenges wounded veterans face when returning to civilian life is maintaining a

healthy and active lifestyle. That is why Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) hosts physical health and wellness expos and opportunities around the nation, not just to get warriors moving again but to connect with other local warriors who share their life experiences.

"Crossing America On Dirt" is at the heart of moving - riding a motorcycle coast to coast to raise awareness and donations to support WWP and the many programs available to our nation's wounded heroes. To show your support DONATE by CLICKING HERE.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Combat Stress

When a soldier returns home, it's rarely an easy transition between military and civilian life. The events experienced while serving are not easily shared with your family and friends. Mental overload leads to physical exhaustion and a sense of isolation. More than 600,000 service men and women live with the invisible wound of war.

What is Combat Stress?

Combat stress is a normal reaction to the abnormal conditions of a combat environment. Symptoms can be, but are not limited to, fatigue, loss of concentration, and decreased reaction time.

What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a diagnosed condition that can develop after a person is exposed to a traumatic event. Symptoms can include disturbing thoughts, feeling, or dreams related to the events, mental or physical distress, difficultly sleeping, and changes in how a person thinks and feels.

Wounded Warrior Projects such as "Project Odyssey" helps connect our military heroes with each other so they all know they are not alone. You can help support the cause by making a DONATION now.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Your Donation Matter

No matter the size of your donation, when you give to Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) you are supporting an organization whose broad appeal reaches across demographics, geographic, and political boundaries. WWP is an apolitical organization by design. It's not about the war - it's about the warrior.

Who WWP Serves

WWP serves veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or

wound, co-incident to their military service on or after September 11, 2001 and their families. On that date, America watched in horror as approximately 3,000 people died including hundreds of firefighters and rescue workers. Many warriors note a sense of duty to volunteer for the military following this tragic day in history.

With advancements in battlefield medicine and body armor, an unprecedented percentage of service members are surviving severe wound or injuries. For every US Soldier killed in WWI and WWII, there were 1.7 soldiers wounded. In Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, for every US soldier killed, seven were wounded. Combined, over 48,000 service men and women have been physically injured in the recent conflicts. It is estimated as many as 400,000 service members live with the invisible wounds of war including combat-related stress, major depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Another 320,000 are believed to have experienced a traumatic brain injury while on deployment.

Help support our wounded warriors. Please DONATE what you can.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Reflection on Memorial Day

As we approach Memorial Day, May 29th, we have the opportunity to honor those that gave their lives defending our Nation, to extend our gratitude to their families, to support the wounded warriors coming off the battlefield and help carry them the rest of the way home. We can do our part by making a DONATION to Wounded Warrior Project now.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Independence Program

We will never know what it's like to charge into harm's way unless we've been in the shoes of a soldier. Nor will we know the hardships wounded soldiers face when putting the pieces of their life back together.

Wounded Warrior Project's Independence Program helps warriors live life to the fullest, on their own terms. It is designed for warriors who rely on their families and/or caregivers because of moderate-to-sever brain injury, spinal-cord injury, or other neurological conditions. In addition, the warrior's cognitive or physical challenges limit their opportunities to access resources and activities in their own community.

The Independence Program is a team effort, bringing together the warrior and his or her full support team while creating an individualized plan - focusing on goals that provide a future with purpose at no cost to the warrior or the support team. It is designed as a comprehensive long-term partnership intended to adapt to the warrior's every-changing needs.

Please help support the efforts of Wounded Warrior Project by Donating Now.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - In Their Own Words

There are numerous testimonials like Steve's - "In Their Own Words" - of how brave men and women have been able to find support and a better life through the free programs offers to them via WWP.
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/in-their-words 
Help us help them by making a DONATION now.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Healing the Invisible Wounds

As many as 500,000 of today's generation of veterans live with the effects of post-traumatic stress

disorder (PTSD). These men and women cope multiple symptoms including flashbacks, frightening thoughts, anger, and interruptions in sleep.
Warrior Care Network® – a partnership between Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and its partner hospitals (The Veterans Program at Emory Healthcare; the Road Home Program at Rush University Medical Center; Operation Mend at UCLA Health; and Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital program) provide treatment and coping skills for warriors dealing with PTSD. Beyond just sleep studies, Warrior Care Network provides intensive two- to three-week outpatient programs that include more therapy hours than most patients would experience in a year.
Warrior Care Network connects veterans across the nation to world-class care, aimed at healing the invisible wounds of war. Help support these efforts by donating to Wounded Warrior Project now.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - She is Living Proof

Two traumatic experiences Taniki Richard endured as a US Marine followed her home after Iraq.

Despite receiving help to cope with her post-traumatic stress, she still felt alone. Her memory started to fade. She couldn't run without chest pains. She couldn't sleep and was afraid to leave her house. She credits the help she received at a WWP event with changing her life and that of her family.

Today, she spends most of her time helping other female warriors find their path towards recovery. "If I can be a part of an organization that helps people heal and and find peace, then the end of my service is not the end," she said. "I'm just service in a new way now." https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/i-am-living-proof/taniki-richards

Help me help our brave wounded warriors by donating now.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Peer Support

Our nation's service members place the highest trust in their fellow warriors in the battlefield. Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) support groups for veterans ensure that trust is strengthened long after military service has ended.

WWP peer support groups are lead by and designed for warriors who want to discuss personal challenges and lend support to one another. Veteran peer support groups can lead to new friendships, provide a renewed sense of community, strengthen bonds through shared experiences, and introduce new solutions to challenges. WWP can help warriors connect with fellow veterans and service members in their communities and overcome challenges as a team.

Your Donation helps fund these important WWP efforts.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Healing with a Paint Brush

Recently in the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Tampa, Florida office, wounded warrior Andrew

Larocca and artist Craig Todd worked together as this masterpiece took shape during art therapy. Andrew has participated in art therapy for several years now, assembling a small gallery of pieces at home and creating hope for his loved ones.

Andrew's father and caregiver Dave Truman said, "It is so much more than brush strokes. It feeds the brain. Andrew has gained so much confidence through art therapy. He hasn't been able to talk since his injury seven years ago, but he started vocalizing about three months ago. I strongly believe he is regaining some of his speech because of painting and music."

Independence programs work with wounded warriors, families, and caregivers to develop individual goals and a plan to accomplish them. The program connects warriors to their communities and meaningful activities, like art therapy, to aid in recovery.

To help support Wounded Warrior Project efforts, Donate now.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Support Line

WWP Talk: Veterans Mental Health Support Line

Making this call can be a positive step on a veteran's journey to healing. Having a consistent and reliable resource like WWP Talk, the Wounded Warrior Project veteran's mental health support line, can be invaluable. This non-clinical form of emotional support is provided weekly over the phone. During these calls, each veteran is offered a listening ear and a safe, non-judgmental outlet. The WWP professionally trained teammates help veterans build resilience, develop coping skills, and achieve goals to improve overall quality of life.

WWP Talk is available at no cost to warriors, family members, and caregivers registered with WWP and serves as a stepping-stone in the recovery process for many of them. While WWP Talk is a short-term program, it can provide long-term healing.

WWP Talk allows veterans to:

• Talk once a week at the same pre-established day and time
• Acquire new tools and coping skills to help build resiliency
• Learn to set and achieve goals
• Keep in touch until you're ready for the next stage of recovery

Please help support this and many other WWP programs by Donating Now.

With generous donations WWP can meet this years goal! DONATE what you can now!

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Pursuit of Financial Stability

The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) envisions a generation of recovering service men and women who are economically empowered. Individuals who are not unemployed or underemployed, but have opportunities to pursue a meaningful career or own their own business. WWP offers employment services that encourage economic empowerment for warriors which in turn provides long-term financial stability for themselves and their families. We can help in these efforts by making a donation now.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Reality after the Reunion

Today we shine a light on those brave men and women who gave of themselves to serve and protect our nation. This photo is a heartfelt reminder of just how very far away from home, family and all-things familiar our brave military members can be.

When a service member is wounded, ill or injured, the reality of these changes place tremendous stress on family members after the joy of the reunion subsides. Each family member is an integral part of a warrior's successful recovery. Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is dedicated to supporting not only the warriors but their families as well. The WWP team reaches out to family members and caregivers of warriors living with physical and/or mental health conditions to endure they receive the full range of support and benefits the WWP programs and services offer. Please help support our warriors. Donate Now.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Finding Fitness

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and Johns Hopkins University recently hosted a health and wellness expo for a group of wounded veterans at the university's workout facilities. Warriors participated in a circuit of exercises focusing on different areas of the body at varying levels of intensity. Like other WWP fitness gatherings, the workout was in an environment that accommodated physical injuries and social anxieties. Depending on the needs and comfort levels of each warrior, WWP staff offered instructions on modifications that improved the workout.

WWP frequently hosts a variety of on nutritional and fitness gatherings across the nation that aid in the physical and mental recovery from the invisible wounds of war. WWP offers programs and services that assist veterans with mental health, physical health and wellness, career and benefits counseling, and connecting with other warriors and their communities. To help support their efforts, Donate Now.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - The Mission

The mission of WWP is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP connects wounded
warriors and their families to valuable resources and one another, serves them through a variety of free programs and services, and empowers them to live life on their own terms. WWP is a national nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more visit woundedwarriorproject.org

Wounded Warrior Project - Spotlight on Mark Lalli

Mark Lalli suffered a traumatic brain injury and two dozen broken bones when the aircraft he was
riding in crashed. Mark's long and painful rehab process often made him want to give up. It was a Wounded Warrior Project event that helped him, realize that being in a wheelchair did not mean he had to place limits on his life. Another warrior amputee showed him that being disabled is not the end and inspired Mark to believe that anything is still possible.

Mark credits the camaraderie he shared with other warriors with helping him take each day as it comes. The support he received from the men and women of WWP motivated him to not just survive but to thrive.
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/i-am-living-proof/mark-lalli

Donate Now and help support our wounded heroes like Mark.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - The Vision

The VISION of Wounded Warrior Project is to foster the most successful and well-adjusted generation of wounded service men and women in our nation's history.

We can all help by giving even a small DONATION to help support those who served our country.

Wounded Warrior Project - Combat Stress Recovery Program

Asking for Help is Strength Not Weakness! 

The Combat Stress Recovery Program (CSRP) addresses the mental health and cognitive needs of warriors returning from war. CSRP provides military rehabilitation services at key stages during a warrior's readjustment process.

While post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and combat/operational stress are common after war-time experiences, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) approaches these issues from the warrior's perspective. They understand the stigma attached to mental health, post combat stress, access to care, and interpersonal relationship challenges.

WWP challenges warriors to think about goal-setting and understanding their "new normal." Many warriors begin their journey with Project Odyssey an outdoor, rehabilitative retreat that promotes peer connection, challenging outdoor experiences, and healing with other combat veterans.

Help support the WWP recovery programs for our brave warriors by DONATING NOW.