Carefree Truth
Issue #535, December 12, 2016
Issue #535, December 12, 2016
During Call to the Public, Mike Wold spoke about the Bridging the Gap program to take place at the Spirit in the Desert retreat center in downtown Carefree. For the past 3 years, Mr. Wold has brought the Healing of Memories program for veterans with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to Spirit in the Desert, and in 2016 first responders were included for the first time. Located east of the sundial, he called Spirit in the Desert a "hidden gem in the community", and said it's not just a standard retreat center but is also available for occasions such as family gatherings. He thanked the Council and the community for their support, and said a lot of healing has taken place at the retreat.
The Walter Reed Foundation, associated with the Walter Reed Veteran's Hospital in Maryland, is funding a retreat that has been held at least a dozen times throughout the nation. It was set up as a support system for veterans with PTSD. PTSD affects not only veterans, but their families and communities as well, and is very stressful for the caregivers of it's sufferers, be they spouses, parents, children, etc. Bridging the Gap is a powerful retreat that has been well researched. It has been moved to the southwest states, and Carefree was chosen to host it this year, making Mr. Wold very proud.
The Veteran's Administration (VA) and other treatment centers are discovering that the integrated approach, where families and other programs are included, is the most effective, creating a community. Many of these veterans and their families have isolated themselves. Programs such as Bridging the Gap give an inclusive support system. Many volunteers from the local community are providing services such as acupuncture therapy. The 4 day retreat, which is part of a national program, will be held from January 26th-29th. It has been proven to work extremely well.
Mr. Wold pointed out that veterans take an oath similar to what the newly seated Council took at the beginning of the meeting. He said that Carefree a very veteran supportive community and he thanked the Carefree residents. This has been Mr. Wold's life's work.
Mayor Les Peterson noted that the Healing of Memories program Mr. Wold brought to Spirit in the Desert, and with which Councilman Gene Orrico helped this year, is part of a similar approach and just started including first responders who have been involved with issues such as domestic violence or accidents. They sometimes experience similar types of trauma as veterans. This is part of an overall effort. The Mayor thanked Mr. Wold for his service to veterans and to the community.
The Mayor reminded everyone that the Carefree/Cave Creek Consolidated Court is very active with other East Valley courts and communities participating in a special Veteran's Court. U.S. courts are set up for punishment. Some who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan return with psychological problems. They don't need to be punished. This parallel court works with them to address their unique issues using a different approach and is very worthwhile.
https://vimeo.com/195147606
(Lyn's note: In case you missed it, the Veteran's Court was a speaker topic at the Carefree Veteran's Day event. Here is the link to the Carefree Truth issue on that. http://carefreetruth2.com/carefree-truth-530.html)
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list. Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
The Walter Reed Foundation, associated with the Walter Reed Veteran's Hospital in Maryland, is funding a retreat that has been held at least a dozen times throughout the nation. It was set up as a support system for veterans with PTSD. PTSD affects not only veterans, but their families and communities as well, and is very stressful for the caregivers of it's sufferers, be they spouses, parents, children, etc. Bridging the Gap is a powerful retreat that has been well researched. It has been moved to the southwest states, and Carefree was chosen to host it this year, making Mr. Wold very proud.
The Veteran's Administration (VA) and other treatment centers are discovering that the integrated approach, where families and other programs are included, is the most effective, creating a community. Many of these veterans and their families have isolated themselves. Programs such as Bridging the Gap give an inclusive support system. Many volunteers from the local community are providing services such as acupuncture therapy. The 4 day retreat, which is part of a national program, will be held from January 26th-29th. It has been proven to work extremely well.
Mr. Wold pointed out that veterans take an oath similar to what the newly seated Council took at the beginning of the meeting. He said that Carefree a very veteran supportive community and he thanked the Carefree residents. This has been Mr. Wold's life's work.
Mayor Les Peterson noted that the Healing of Memories program Mr. Wold brought to Spirit in the Desert, and with which Councilman Gene Orrico helped this year, is part of a similar approach and just started including first responders who have been involved with issues such as domestic violence or accidents. They sometimes experience similar types of trauma as veterans. This is part of an overall effort. The Mayor thanked Mr. Wold for his service to veterans and to the community.
The Mayor reminded everyone that the Carefree/Cave Creek Consolidated Court is very active with other East Valley courts and communities participating in a special Veteran's Court. U.S. courts are set up for punishment. Some who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan return with psychological problems. They don't need to be punished. This parallel court works with them to address their unique issues using a different approach and is very worthwhile.
https://vimeo.com/195147606
(Lyn's note: In case you missed it, the Veteran's Court was a speaker topic at the Carefree Veteran's Day event. Here is the link to the Carefree Truth issue on that. http://carefreetruth2.com/carefree-truth-530.html)
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list. Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.