OTF Gives Brad the Tools He Needs to Improve his Life

During his two tours of duty in Iraq, Brad Keith was exposed to multiple blasts, as well as being involved in a serious accident. While transporting vehicles from Kuwait one night, Brad's vehicle was struck by a 14-ton gravel truck on the highway. "I had a lot of injuries from that," he recalled. "All the gear I was wearing probably saved my life." After returning home, he began having problems concentrating, remembering things and controlling his anger, and he found it difficult to communicate with other people. Eventually he was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD and referred to Operation TBI Freedom (OTF) for help.

Brad has been with OTF for almost 18 months now, and the program has provided a variety of support for him and his family. "They've helped me pay for utility bills and vehicle repairs, but they also give me emotional support and new ideas for how to deal with problems," he described. "Having someone there to support me and knowing that somebody cares about me and my family has been the main benefit." Brad appreciates the support network that the program provides and that his care coordinator, John Lenz, is always looking for new ways to help him. Recently he was experiencing some dental problems but didn't have dental insurance, so John gave him different avenues to check out for affordable treatment.

The social skills class Brad has been participating in through OTF is also making a major impact on his life. "The social skills class has made a big difference. I'm getting out and talking to people again; it's brought me out of my shell," he expressed. The class is specially designed for veterans with TBI, so Brad felt comfortable connecting with others in the class over similar issues. "It let me know I wasn't alone," he said. Being able to share his experiences with fellow veterans in the class has also taken a lot of pressure off his wife, Brad noted. "Our relationship has gotten better. We've grown closer, but we've also branched out more and become more social."

Brad acknowledges that his traumatic brain injury has left a permanent mark on his life, but he feels Operation TBI Freedom has given him the boost he needed to move forward. "The program has given me the tools I need to work through problems so that I can have a better quality of life," he stated. "The injury will never go away, but you learn how to go around it."