Meet Patrick

When you see Patrick playing with sons Michael and Mason, you'd never know that he'd spent time fighting in Iraq. Patrick is working hard to return to a normal life after intense fighting in Iraq.  A Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) incident increased his challenges. Patrick fell, lost consciousness and lapsed into a coma for 10 days. 

Patrick had been home for more than two months before he began to realize his struggle with nightmares and anger deeply affected his well being. He realized he was having difficulty doing things that had always been easy to accomplish.  Eventually, Patrick was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in tandem with PTSD.

His life was unraveling quickly. Soon after Patrick returned to his family, his wife told him that she wanted a divorce saying "He was no longer the man she knew." He faced bankruptcy, and had so many people to contact and so many forms to fill out, he became overwhelmed. Patrick knew he had to stay strong for his kids, but he said the challenges he faced felt tougher than any battle he faced in Iraq. Then he learned about Operation TBI Freedom and he met Care Coordinator, John Lenz.  With John's help, Patrick began to get all of his records in order, make necessary contacts and he realized he began to feel hopeful about the future.

"John took a lot of stress off of me," Patrick said.  "Once he got involved, things started to happen."  John helped Patrick connect to Home Front Cares for financial assistance and helped him get support from Give an Hour, which offers free counseling services.  John worked with the VA to help assemble the paperwork needed to change his disability rating. "I now have a 100% rating so I can catch up on rent payments and avoid bankruptcy.  And I know now that I can have a decent life with my boys.  That's all I want." Patrick has learned a lot through this process of resettling after his time in Iraq.

Patrick knows there are many months of healing ahead of him. Operation TBI Freedom helped him stabilize his life so he can make positive changes for himself and his two sons. Patrick's advice to his buddies:  "Don't be afraid to ask for help."

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Read an update on Patrick!

Learn about the social skills group for veterans that Patrick participated in.