thedrifter
09-03-07, 07:28 AM
Wives of wounded troops forming support groups
By: SHANNON WINGARD - For the North County Times
Spouses of wounded or ill service members stationed at Camp Pendleton and throughout the county will soon have a new way of comforting and supporting one another.
Wounded Warrior Wives support groups are being organized to help spouses discuss feelings such as isolation, anger or guilt.
Organizers say the groups also will give spouses a chance to share tips with one another on things such as child care, employment and health care with those who are only beginning to ask the questions.
In San Diego, three support groups for the Wounded Warrior Wives will begin meeting in mid-September around the county, including on the second and fourth Mondays of each month in Carlsbad.Ý
Tricia De La Paz, interim president of Operation Homefront in San Diego, said the group is open to spouses of all sick or injured service members, including those who weren't wounded during a deployment.
The meetings will be run by a licensed marriage and family therapist, De La Paz said, though the primary goal is interaction among spouses.
"They can learn from the others that have already gone through it," said De La Paz, whose husband is in the Navy. "In all reality, unless you have been there, you can't totally understand."
The Wounded Warrior Wives project was established in March 2006 as part of Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit organization established in 2001 to support service members and their families, and CinCHouse.com, an online community where military wives can obtain information and advice.
She said the idea is that "being able to support the family directly supports the service member."
Since it was established, De La Paz said the project has been helping spouses by offering online chats, financial assistance through Operation Homefront and articles written by spouses for spouses. Information can be found at www.operationhomefront.net/sandiego.
Nationwide, a handful of Wounded Warrior Wives support groups have been established, including the first one in May near Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, said Julie Storey, director of clinical education and counseling for Wounded Warrior Wives.
She said the organization plans to continue establishing the groups near military installations and eventually near major Veterans Affairs hospitals throughout the country.
"As a person and as a nation, we owe that to them," she said.
Storey, who is a clinical psychologist based in San Antonio, said she understands issues affecting military families, especially after working with mental health issues within the Air Force for 12 years.
She said sharing experiences with other spouses can help break down feelings of isolation, especially because they "know what it's like to be in their shoes, and that's valuable."
For information on the Wounded Warrior Wives support groups or to join, contact Tricia De La Paz at tricia@operationhomefront.net.
Ellie
By: SHANNON WINGARD - For the North County Times
Spouses of wounded or ill service members stationed at Camp Pendleton and throughout the county will soon have a new way of comforting and supporting one another.
Wounded Warrior Wives support groups are being organized to help spouses discuss feelings such as isolation, anger or guilt.
Organizers say the groups also will give spouses a chance to share tips with one another on things such as child care, employment and health care with those who are only beginning to ask the questions.
In San Diego, three support groups for the Wounded Warrior Wives will begin meeting in mid-September around the county, including on the second and fourth Mondays of each month in Carlsbad.Ý
Tricia De La Paz, interim president of Operation Homefront in San Diego, said the group is open to spouses of all sick or injured service members, including those who weren't wounded during a deployment.
The meetings will be run by a licensed marriage and family therapist, De La Paz said, though the primary goal is interaction among spouses.
"They can learn from the others that have already gone through it," said De La Paz, whose husband is in the Navy. "In all reality, unless you have been there, you can't totally understand."
The Wounded Warrior Wives project was established in March 2006 as part of Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit organization established in 2001 to support service members and their families, and CinCHouse.com, an online community where military wives can obtain information and advice.
She said the idea is that "being able to support the family directly supports the service member."
Since it was established, De La Paz said the project has been helping spouses by offering online chats, financial assistance through Operation Homefront and articles written by spouses for spouses. Information can be found at www.operationhomefront.net/sandiego.
Nationwide, a handful of Wounded Warrior Wives support groups have been established, including the first one in May near Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, said Julie Storey, director of clinical education and counseling for Wounded Warrior Wives.
She said the organization plans to continue establishing the groups near military installations and eventually near major Veterans Affairs hospitals throughout the country.
"As a person and as a nation, we owe that to them," she said.
Storey, who is a clinical psychologist based in San Antonio, said she understands issues affecting military families, especially after working with mental health issues within the Air Force for 12 years.
She said sharing experiences with other spouses can help break down feelings of isolation, especially because they "know what it's like to be in their shoes, and that's valuable."
For information on the Wounded Warrior Wives support groups or to join, contact Tricia De La Paz at tricia@operationhomefront.net.
Ellie