Help From Above It was at this low point in my life that I purchased a drone. I don’t remember why I did it, but I do remember what it did for me the first time I flew. There was something about flying above the world that liberated me from my physical pain and mental suffering. The perspective of looking down from above was an especially powerful momentary escape from PTSD and chronic pain. The more I flew my drone, the more peace of mind I had. Each flight helped me to process my trauma. I started to think if a drone was helping me, perhaps other resources could as well. I had lied to myself and convinced my mind that

I was not worthy of help. Flying my drone began to chip away at this toxic idea. In the Marine Corps, I relied on a team. When I left active service, I felt I had to do everything on my own. I spent years going down the wrong paths before finding my drone and remembering I still had a team. That team was my fellow veterans. There were resources out there, and I was not alone. I decided to contact the Wounded Warrior Project. That call was the continuation of the healing that started with my drone. I would eventually benefit from the help of the VA, Wounded Warrior Project, Salute Inc., Rush University’s Road Home Program, and much more.

Crystal Lake

Help From Above

“The more I flew my drone, the more peace of mind I had”

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WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / MARCH 2020