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Day 1
Part I
We all managed to meet up the early morning of August 16, 2009 for the 1000 plus trek to the Colorado Rockies from Southern California. There was Debbie, the ringleader,
Debbie was unquestionably the ring-leader, tassels flowing from her crimson suede jacket as she leaded the posse. And her Harley, adorned with Debbie's signature style -Tricked out with fishtail pipes - down to the leather tassels blowing in the wind. Debbie is a force to be reckoned with. She rides, speaks, acts, with such confidence and complete jurisdiction that you don't dare question it. She's honest and unapologetic for the person she is and the life she leads. Debbie is a caretaker by nature, - she's earned her stripes and proven her unwavering commitment to those whom she's coddled under her protective wing.
She's got a story of personal ownership, integrity and unshakable self-esteem. Debbie prides herself on her individuality and personal statements. Her character and demeanor mock that of the unique trait of her dressing and style of communication. She's there to make sure everyone is taken care of. No guessing when it comes to her. That's for damn sure. You don't mess with Debbie. A force to be reckoned with. this woman has undoubtedly found her right of passage... and taken it on the road. In less that 6years, Debbie has logged over 110,000 miles on her bike. And she's just getting started.
Eldonna AKA "pinkbikerchic" - master of her domain. very feminine yet badass. great combo. she's a retired Master Sgt in the AirForce - need i say more???
Then there was the ever so confident and quiet, Syl _ who rides a "Naked Ducati" - to be perfectly honest, i was anticipating a naked chick on a Ducati... oh boy. did i have a lot to learn. Sylvia, to me, is silent strength. a woman who is unbreakable, unstoppable, and knows no boundaries. a woman after my own heart. if only i could tap into her "quiet sense of strength" AND even moreso, lack of ego. -she's in it for the personal payoff. i truly believe there is a lot to be said for that. it defines courage. absolute peaceful resolve. in a way, i resent her for that, but even moreso, ADMIRE her and want to learn from her. it hits you "spot on" the minute you meet her. this bitch ain't no victim!!!
i believe fate brought Darlene and me together. I met Darlene literally 5 days before we left. julia dillon and i were hangin out at Starbucks in Los Feliz. I was out telling everyone i knew about the ride, asking to join us on CourageCommunity.org - Ride for Courage - and that's when we met. she doesn't ride but was at a major crossroads in her life. Fate brought us together. Darlene, though not a biker, yearned for some adventure in her life and within 5 minutes of us meeting one another, expressed a desire to join the cause. and come Sunday, the 16th, she showed up at our front door, ready to go... looking more like she was ready for a photo shoot than a 1000-mile cross-country trek on, riding "bitch" on my trike. Darn, this girl's got guts cuz this was the first long cross country trek i'd EVER participated in. BUT NOW I:VE CAUGHT THE BUG!!!
Not bad company. AND THIS JUST MARKED THE BEGINNING!
As we were sitting in the office of the command's clinical psychologist
at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, I had a moment that made me giggle out
loud. And what I said to the clinical psychologist who was part of the
team that brought us in, was, "So what you're saying is that basically,
it was a snowball's chance in hell that The Power of Play and the US
Army would be here working together...with Richard and I sitting in
front of you."
And she said, "Yep. That's about right. You are the snowball, Rahla, and this is hell!"
Wow!
From our initial "read-ahead" white paper (which was a new term for us)
back in December, 2007, to yesterday's acknowledgment from the Colonel
who was the other part of the team who hired us, we are now taking a
deep breath to share with you what a unique, powerful, creative,
laughter filled, exhausting, miraculous journey this intersection in
the history of The Power of Play and The Power of Play Approach has
been.
Our goal is to work with returning veterans who are suffering with the
suddenly broken life that PTSD, deep brain trauma and the amputation of
limbs brings. We know The Power of Play Approach works, because of our
experience in the 1980's with veterans from another war - the Vietnam
war.
At that time we were working at a support center for homeless and
mentally ill adults in Santa Monica, called Step Up On Second. One day
a couple of Vietnam veterans showed up in my class. One, in
particular, was hesitant to participate. On the spot I began an
exercise that has become a staple in The Power of Play repertoire of
games. I asked him to tell a true story from his life that had
something to do with a pair of shoes. His story was inspiring,
poignant and wonderful. He told of how he had been a Rhodes Scholar
and was on his way to Oxford, when he went to Paris for a short
holiday. He found a pair of shoes in a small shop that made him feel
like a king when he put them on. He blew his holiday budget to buy the
shoes, but they were worth it.
The smile and openness of this man who moments before had been closed
off and shut down, told me that something important had happened. Soon
other vets were showing up in my class. The reason? They said they
heard they could tell their stories there. They also said that my
class was one of the few places where they could laugh and enjoy some
humor, instead of the usual gripe and complain sessions that they were
used to.
Now, with a new war and a new wave - make that tidal wave - of veterans returning, I know we have an important job to do. Our
Approach helps people discover or rediscover their creativity,
authenticity and natural sense of humor. That practice has health
benefits that science is now validating. But more importantly, I
believe our fun and easy methods bring people - whether they be dealing
with cancer, chronic illness or deep brain trauma - to a familiar place
within themselves that they may have forgotten about. It is kind of
like going through your old junk drawer and finding some treasure you
haven't thought about in decades. You are reminded of who you were
then, with all the feelings of excitement and anticipation that each
adventure in life brings. It is almost like meeting an old friend on
the street. Only the old friend is you!
| c.2009 The Courage Community Foundation, a registered 501c(3) non-profit organization |
