Help Healing Heroes #WinBigger with eBay!

     

Help us win $25,000 and you could win a $2,500 eBay shopping spree!

Starting Monday, November 2, the charity that receives the most "Favorites" on eBay by December 27 will win a $25,000 grant from eBay! Plus, you could win too! eBay is giving away a grand prize of a $2,500 eBay gift card, along with weekly $250 gift card prizes, to randomly drawn supporters who add a favorite charity! Help Healing Heroes Network and let's both #WinBigger. Please keep an eye out for more information via email, and through our Twitter, Facebook, and other social media channels with the hashtags: #WishBigger and #WinBigger. For full contest rules and details CLICK HERE.

Veterans Day 2015

Dear Friends & Supporters,

Today we encourage you to take a moment to remember our Veterans and all those who have served our nation in the armed forces.  It is because of their service, sacrifice and bravery that we enjoy our freedom today.

"All gave some, some gave all"... It's not just a catchy phrase.  It is the truth that has carried our great nation through many wars and many battles.  We at Healing Heroes Network will forever be grateful for those Heroes who fought, and continue to fight, for our freedom.

As we honor our military veterans for their service and sacrifice today, let us also remember that we must stay vigilant in our support of these brave men and women.

THANK A VETERAN TODAY!

For Our Troops,

The Healing Heroes Network Team 

PTSD Awareness Day

You may have heard the words "invisible injuries" before, or even the term "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" (PTSD).  But did you know that most of today's retired combat service members are returning home from the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan with this debilitating disorder?  It is hard to diagnose because it is hard to talk about. But our Heroes do not leave the sights, sounds and emotions of what they experience on the battlefield, and the symptoms of PTSD are becoming increasingly worse because of the negative stigma surrounding the term.  

PTSD is claiming families, personal relationships, careers, and even lives.  

We NEED to talk about it.

Starting in 2010, Congress named June 27th "PTSD Awareness Day". The purpose of this day is to remember that not everyone who came home from war, left the war. By raising public awareness of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder AND its effective treatments, we are opening the door for our heroes to know it is okay to come forward and ask for help. 

Join Healing Heroes Network today and start a conversation about PTSD and how we can help our nation's Heroes overcome it.  Together, we can all help those affected by PTSD.  

For more information on ways to help, visit www.HealingHeroes.org.

A Hero's Story

A Hero's Story:

Army E-4 Specialist Jeffery K.

Jeffrey K. served in the United States Army for 6 years.  He began his enlistment stationed in Fort Riley, KS, before re-enlisting to Ft. Stewart, GA.  It was during this time that he was deployed to Tikrit, Iraq, to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).

While performing duties during his deployment, Jeffrey sustained numerous injuries lifting heavy equipment, recovering vehicles, and was also hit by an I.E.D. (Improvised Explosive Device), severely injuring his lower back, right shoulder and legs.  For his service and outstanding performance, Jeffrey was awarded an Army Achievement Award and the Army Commendation Medal (awarded to members of the U.S. Army who distinguished themselves by displaying heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service). 

Upon Jeffrey's return to civilian life, the injuries that he had sustained while fighting overseas were causing him severe discomfort, and he was unable to move without extreme pain.  Jeffrey reached out to Healing Heroes Network for assistance with receiving Massage Therapy, and was quickly approved after filling out the application.

Massage Therapist & HHN Provider Cathy B. raves about Jeffrey's improvement:

"When he first came to me, he was unable to relax, stated he had limited range of motion with his right shoulder, constant back pain and was unable to walk at length because of the tight muscles of his quadriceps.  After the first session, he had and has maintained full movement with his right arm, states he is able to sleep through the night (something he hadn't done in several years), is able to relax for his massage, and can now walk and stand for periods of time on his leg with no pain!"

Jeffrey states, "The massage sessions already have helped more than I ever thought could happen. I sleep better and am able to function more. I would again like to thank everyone there at Healing Heroes Network for being able to assist me with my journey. Thank you and God Bless."

Healing Heroes Network is proud and honored to assist Heroes like Jeffrey on their 

road to recovery!

An HHN Hero Story

A Hero’s Story:
Spc. Austin H.

Spc. Austin H. joined the Army shortly after his 18th birthday.   Trained as a combat medic, he was assigned to the third brigade combat team, 82nd Airborne Division.  As a trauma team leader, he provided medical care to his fellow wounded soldiers.

After returning home, Austin struggled with memories of the terror he had witnessed.  His PTSD however, did not emerge until a car accident 2 years later brought all of his buried pain to the surface.  Austin's family says he  "hit rock bottom, and just 'lost it'".  Unemployment, addiction, and a "severe disconnect with  personal relationships" followed.

Austin's father Eric contacted Healing Heroes Network, hoping to "improve his life and get the help he needs".  Dr. Samuel Smithyman, (a Healing Heroes Network Provider and Air Force Veteran himself), began seeing Austin for Counseling sessions, and Austin began to take his first steps toward healing within weeks.  His sister Sara states, "Healing Heroes Network was immediately responsive and supportive. My brother began seeing Dr. Smithyman, and has really been able to turn things around."  Seconds Eric, "Healing Heroes Network's role in this incredible change is significant.  I fear that Austin may have slipped past the point of help if they had not stepped in and assisted!"

Healing Heroes Network is proud and honored to assist Heroes like Austin every day!  If you know a hero like Austin who is in need of assistance for treatment, we encourage you to have them contact us at (727)781-4376, or email to info@healingheroes.org.

RED SHIRT and BLUE JEAN Fridays are here!

We are so excited about a really awesome new project we're about to launch!  And we need all the support we can get, so please help spread the word by telling your co-workers (and bosses) today!

You know how getting dressed up for work all week long is a drag?  Suits & ties... skirts & high heels... What if Fridays were different?  What if your boss let you dress casual on Friday, AND you were able to help a great cause at the same time?  Healing Heroes Network is kick-starting a MOVEMENT with our new RED Shirt & Blue Jean Friday campaigns, and we want to get your company involved!

Blue Jean Friday, or "Casual Friday" is a fun and creative way for office workers to build morale and have something to look forward to at the end of a long work week.  It's a reprieve from the constrictions of a formal dress code. Healing Heroes Network has taken this idea to the next level by incorporating the "R.E.D. Friday" ideal into the equation.  For those of you that haven't heard about this moving gesture, R.E.D. stands for "Remember Everyone Deployed".  It is our job as RED blooded Americans to show our support for our troops!  This mission was created to help Americans join forces, by wearing RED every Friday, to help boost the morale of our nations heroes overseas by showing them we care.

So here's how the campaign works...

- Contact Healing Heroes Network today, and ask for a Casual Friday packet. This will include info for both RED Shirt Friday and Blue Jean Friday, program instructions, staff sign up sheets, & more.
- Give the packet to your boss or supervisor, and spread the word among your co-workers.

For more information, or to sign up YOUR office, please don't hesitate to give us a call TODAY at
(727) 781-4376, or email to: info@healingheroes.org!

Pool Tournament to Benefit the Troops

The Warrior Brotherhood are at it again--creating great, fun events for everyone to enjoy while helping our troops.

On May 18th the Warrior Brotherhood will be hosting a Pool Tournament at Cue-Phoria Billiard and Cafe in Winter Park. There will be raffles, prizes, and an overall great time to be had!