This month, Brownieland spoke with our beloved partners at the Shepherd Center to hear more about the lives of current and former military veterans, service members, first responders, and their loved ones to commemorate the time honored tradition of Memorial Day. Here’s what we learned:
On a summer afternoon last year, Rob Newbill finished playing a couple of hours of pickleball at his local YMCA with a group he’d just met, and he emerged victorious. A year ago, this never would’ve happened.
I was a recluse,” he says. “I didn’t want to interact with people or even leave the house unless I absolutely had to.”
Rob Newbill
Rob was struggling with depression and anxiety, and he was easily frustrated. His physical symptoms included vertigo, blurry vision, and problems with word recall. Although he knew something wasn’t quite right, he didn’t know how to solve the problem.
It wasn’t until a chance meeting with a Shepherd Center SHARE Military Initiative intake coordinator through a mutual friend that he realized his symptoms might be related to his 20 years in the military, namely two tours in Iraq.
Since 2007, SHARE has provided rehabilitation for military veterans, service members, and first responders who are ready to accept help and healing for their daily struggle with traumatic brain injuries and mental health concerns. Available at no cost to military veterans, service members, and first responders, SHARE is the only comprehensive rehabilitation program with flexible programming options, collaborative care, transition support, and community reintegration.
Shepherd Center offers a dedicated treatment team experienced in working with veterans and first responders. Depending on a client’s unique needs, the SHARE care team can include specialized providers in neurology, physical and rehabilitation medicine, physical, occupational, speech, and recreation therapy, and nursing and case management, among others.
Rob came to SHARE in April 2022 and was diagnosed with cognitive, visual, and vestibular problems – which Rob calls ‘both shocking and vindicating.’ He spent three months at SHARE, traveling home on the weekends to be with his wife and three children.
At SHARE, Rob was given the tools to deal with his challenges through various forms of therapy and counseling. He also had the opportunity to explore outside interests such as fly fishing and beekeeping.
“I feel better today – mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually – than I have in a very long time,” Rob says. “I have gone from being depressed and pessimistic, to confident, optimistic, and enthusiastic about the future. I am proud of the person I am and have developed a deep desire to help others.”
Through the help of a Shepherd Center vocational coach, Rob is looking for a job, hoping to find a veteran outreach or an Army JROTC instructor position. He credits SHARE for his turnaround.
Everyone at SHARE is part of a team whose purpose is to improve clients’ lives,” he says. “The entire team met me with patience and encouragement and were ready to shift into higher gears when I was ready. They gave me my life back, and I appreciate each of them immensely.”
Rob Newbill
To learn more about SHARE, visit shepherd.org/SHARE or to give to SHARE, visit give.shepherd.org.
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