Flight Assistance Makes Healing Possible for Marine Veteran
Challenged Through Counseling
Nate is a Veteran of the Marine Corps. From 1992 to 2000, he served as an aircraft rescueman and firefighter. More recently, he helps other Veterans and first responders as a mental health counselor.
However, Nate faces challenges to his own mental health. He lives with the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress, or PTS. This affects his ability to effectively help his counseling clients.
“I needed some help orienting my emotional state and inner world,” said Nate.
Healing On Horseback… More than 900 Miles Away
“I applied for Quantum Leap Farm,” said Nate, “which is in Odessa, Florida.”
Quantum Leap Farm offers equine-assisted therapy for Veterans and their families. Nate received a special grant to help with counseling at Quantum Leap Farm. He decided to stay for the program.
Unfortunately, Nate lives in Dallas, Texas – more than 900 miles away from Odessa. Driving would take almost 17 hours if he didn’t stop, and gas prices were prohibitively expensive. But he couldn’t afford round-trip airfare, either.
How was Nate supposed to assist with counseling and access his own healing? It seemed like an impossible cause.
Flight Assistance Saves the Day
When people are faced with impossible causes, sometimes angels make it possible. Nate received this blessing from a different group of angels – Angel Wings for Veterans! Through a partnership with Southwest Airlines, Angel Wings for Veterans provided flight assistance to Nate.
“Flying with Southwest Airlines was wonderful,” said Nate. “The crews, pilots, and staff were all excellent. I met great people while I was flying to the retreat, and also on the way back.”
Once at Quantum Leap Farm, Nate helped with counseling. Then he stayed for his own program. Thanks to the flight assistance, Nate was able to heal.
“It was needed,” said Nate, “and I would not have been able to do this if it weren’t for flight assistance from Angel Wings for Veterans.”
“I Will Now Be More Ready…”
Nate is back home and doing much better. His quality of life is improving, thanks to the flight assistance that enabled him to attend Quantum Leap Farm. Nate isn’t the only one whose life is changing for the better. The people he helps through counseling will also experience that positive change.
“I will now be more ready,” said Nate, “to serve the Veterans and first responders and families that come to see me for counseling.”
“Thank you, all of you!”
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