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Kimberly Severance, CTRS
Kimberly Severance, CTRS HotAbout NomineeName of Nominee: Nominees' website: Nominee's Organization Island Dolphin Care Nominators affiliation to nominee: U.S Disabled Combat Veteran Reason for Nominating: I would like to briefly introduce myself; my name is SGT Melendez, I’m a Disabled OEF Combat Veteran, a husband, and a father of three beautiful kids. Recently my family and I participated in your terrific therapeutic sessions of swimming with the dolphins. We definitely needed some time to ourselves. I believe only a few really understand the strain of having a loved one go away to war. The worst part of all is having a loved one return with a disability due to combat injuries. Your organization at first glance, seemed unorthodox but as I got involved with the activities and saw the expressions on my children’s faces; to have them finally participate in an activity with me rather than for me was priceless. I was mesmerized at the attention to detail your staff paid to my family when they asked silly questions about dolphin anatomy and so on. The trainers, the staff, and the volunteers: “WOW “great job! When I returned from Afghanistan, I got off the aircraft….you know who was out there waiting for me…. my family. I didn’t expect anything more but it would have been nice to have a support group other than my family. We drove home and surprisingly my family had a Welcome Home Party for me, unfortunately all I did is locked myself in my room. I had my wife, daughter, my son, and a new born that I had yet to meet but all I could do is lock myself in. I don’t know why I did that day. Anyway, my point is: today whenever I meet people who provide me or my family with an open door atmosphere and support like the one you’ve displayed, I go out of my way to thank them. You guys are amazing. Overall, I will never forget that experience which is something very dear to me because it means, with all the bad war memories which overwhelm me daily…Today, I could just add these great experiences to my memories and slowly replace them one at a time. Thank you Island Dolphin Care. Keep doing what you do; I hope you know how much this means to us and our families. Thanks again SGT. Melendez, Richard Combat Veteran Operation Enduring Freedom Community votes and reviewsAverage community rating from: 4 user(s)
Kimberly Severance, CTRS
2012-05-01 02:58:33
Bill Armstrong
About the NomineeComments - NOTE: You and your comment may be selected for the awards presentation. What would you say briefly? I am a OIF/OEF veteran that's been struggling with both PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). Ever since my return from Iraq; nothing about my life has been the same. After many years of hoping the issues would go away with time; I finally sought help from the VA. Many of the treatments offered involved medications that to me; had and created their own problems. I later found out about "Recreational Therapy" program offered by the VA and that is how I ended up at The Island Dolphin Care facility. From the onset before we ever got in the water; Kimberly and the entire staff went to great lengths to make us comfortable and at ease. Their attention to detail ensuring our comfort and safety was beyond anything I had experience at facilities such as these. As for our swim with the Dolphins; well as one of my fellow Veterans and friend stated; "I have never seen a smile like that on your face". I have the pictures to prove it! The experience was such that; for that moment in time, all the nightmares, trauma, pain and sense of low self worth just vanished. The interaction program with the Dolphins took care of that. After my first visit, I have since been back with my family; and they cannot say enough about the wonderful experience they had. It has brought us a step closer as a family and renewed our hopes for a better tomorrow. Chief William Armstrong OIF/OEF Veteran
Kimberly Severance, CTRS
2012-04-30 22:36:06
Emmy Ligeikis
About the NomineeComments - NOTE: You and your comment may be selected for the awards presentation. What would you say briefly? I am a disabled Army Veteran, that has been dealing with the effects of a TBI, residual effects of meningoencphalitis, and joint injuries... For the last two years, I have been going to doctors appointments daily, and not much else. The day that we spent at The Island Dolphin Care facility, with the other veterans, was better than a years worth of medical care!!! The staff treated us all like regular people, while also attending to our individual needs. When I say that Everyone at Island Dolphin Care are INCREDIBLE, it is not enough! Please award them recognition that they deserve.?! Thank you.
Kimberly Severance, CTRS
2012-04-30 18:13:39
Dawn J. Pearce
About the NomineeComments - NOTE: You and your comment may be selected for the awards presentation. What would you say briefly? Kim puts her heart and soul into not only the program, but each individual. This is not only true of her love of her work, but it also shows through in everyday life. She is truly an amazing human being.
Kimberly Severance, CTRS
2012-04-30 18:03:18
Richard Melendez
About the NomineeComments - NOTE: You and your comment may be selected for the awards presentation. What would you say briefly? As a Disabled Combat Veteran, programs such as "Swimming with the Dolphins" provided by such compassionate and knowledgeable staff members, have provided me and my family with an unforgettable experience and memories which ultimately is a baby step forward to my recovery of my combat injuries. Now, ask yourself this: “What organization other than the Department of Veterans Affairs can offer our returning combat veterans that”? SGT. Melendez, Richard Combat Veteran Operation Enduring Freedom |
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