ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 2, 2017 -- As Mike Jernigan emerged through a portal from one of the darkened hallways onto Tropicana Field, his senses were aroused by a mix of lasting baseball memories and eruption of bright colors.
"You never forget the colors of green grass, red clay, and white lines," the Marine Corps veteran said.
Although blinded by an improvised explosive device 13 years ago during combat, Mike said a recent Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) outing to a Tampa Bay Rays-Miami Marlins game allowed him to relive some of the best moments of his life – including the vivid colors.
"I was sighted for 25 years, so I still remember everything in color," he said. "They are just as bright now as they used to be."
CHARLESTON, S.C., June 2, 2017 -- Cristian Rodriguez doesn't have a green thumb … yet.
A recent Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) trip to the historic Magnolia Plantation and Gardens empowered the Marine Corps veteran to spruce up his new home with colorful flowers and bushes.
"I'm motivated to do some gardening once we move into our new home," Cristian said. "Everything was so beautiful; the old trees were incredible. It was so peaceful and relaxing, and it was very therapeutic for me and my family. It's always comforting to see my children laugh and have a good time."
TAMPA, Fla., June 1, 2017 -- The agony showed on Andrew's face as he raised his body up. He pulled with more effort, and with some assistance, rose nearly a foot off the padded table, triumphant.
Andrew Larocca has been working out at Stay In Step, a Tampa spinal cord injury recovery center, for several weeks. His injuries, though, are not to his spine. Andrew, an Army veteran, suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a motorcycle crash seven years ago. His injury restricts movement and hinders his vocal patterns. Andrew relies on family for daily care.
His involvement with Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) and its Independence Program has opened avenues of therapy not typically covered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Art and music therapies helped Andrew find his voice. Independence Program also makes visits to Stay In Step possible.
HOMESTEAD, Fla., June 1, 2017 -- Becky Beyor turned a recent Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) trip to the Coral Castle museum into her family's first outing in more than a year. More importantly, it empowered her to plan more activities with her husband and children.
"Going out as a family has always been on my mind," the wife of National Guard veteran Edwin Tesheep said. "However, doing it is so much harder."
Warriors and their families toured the South Florida castle Ed Leedskalnin spent more than 28 years carving by hand. It is still a mystery how a 100-pound man moved and reshaped more than 1,100 tons of limestone without electricity and water.
WASHINGTON, May 31, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) applauds Secretary of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Dr. David Shulkin's commitment to prioritizing issues outlined in his first "State of the VA" address. WWP is engaging with VA and stakeholders in the veteran community to ensure veterans and their family members have a voice in Washington, DC and their concerns are being addressed.
Secretary Shulkin highlighted areas within the department where progress is taking place and pinpointed chronic issues in need of significant improvement to provide quality service to veterans. These issues include improving access to care; ensuring prompt payment to providers; holding staff accountable; reducing fraud, waste, and abuse; and addressing veteran suicide.
