Kevin’s Story: “A Big Part of My Life Was Gone”
Before Kevin left the military, pain from a back injury sidelined him from his duties as a Navy Chief Petty Officer. That pain ultimately cost him his military career.
Despite his injury, Kevin was proud of the success he achieved in the military. Returning to civilian life, he was determined to work his way back up the ladder. But the injuries and pain kept pushing his goal further away.
Injured and unable to hold a job, you gave Kevin hope for a stable career.
After he left the military, Kevin quickly landed a well-paying job. But he was in a lot of pain. He couldn’t spend much time on his feet or perform the physical part of the job. Unable to get the care he needed, Kevin was forced to leave his job.
At 35 years old, Kevin felt like he’d lost it all.
Kevin had three jobs that year. But each with the same result. “I was depressed. I wasn’t a leader. I didn’t get to help people. I got to the point where I thought I was going to lose every job and be homeless.”
Despite it all, Kevin was determined to succeed. When he moved to Oregon, he got a job helping veterans with disabilities find employment.
At his new job, a coworker told Kevin about the Returning Veterans Project. He quickly connected with free chiropractic and acupuncture services. Over three months, Kevin worked with RVP Volunteer Providers to finally get relief from the pain that had hampered his goals for so long.
Through RVP, Kevin found the hope he needed to keep going. “It was almost miraculous how quickly and how effectively it helped me. It gave me a light to hold to show other people the way.”
A coworker recommended RVP. They fixed one of the worst pains I’ve got. It was something close to miraculous!
Today, Kevin is thriving. “I was effective and a higher up leader in the Navy, and I really enjoyed it. Then I lost it all. Now I feel like I’m back where I should be.”
I am absolutely in love with the program and what it does for veterans.
Kevin at work, 2020.
Your support is essential! The Returning Veterans Project has helped people like Kevin transform their life. Also transformed are the lives of his family and everyone he helps at his job.
Though seldom mentioned, veterans, service members, and their families are experiencing the same job losses, child-care issues, and stress as all Americans today. But their stress and strain are amplified.
Veterans contend with accumulated physical and emotional challenges, service members are more frequently deployed and reintegrated, and military families endure extreme isolation from frequent moves and the loss of social connections.
The need for RVP services is growing.
With the support of people like you, the Returning Veterans Project will continue to help veterans, service members, and their families live their healthiest life possible.
