Testimonial for Vet to Vet

I want to share with you how I felt when I started on this journey with "Vet to Vet" , and honestly when I was asked to be a part of this movement, I was excited! A little apprehensive but excited...

Now up until this point I don't believe I was making the right choices "per se" to develop as a better human being here at the Domiciliary. I found myself disconnected physically, mentally, and emotionally. I was becoming alienated spiritually, alienated from my life goals, and alienated from my feelings! Externally, I might have looked OK, but internally I was crying out - and someone heard me. For this I'm grateful...

Even so, on the day that we came together as a group, that is the gentleman who would be part of "Vet to Vet" with me, I felt a stirring within myself. I decided to get serious about changing my life, and take the responsibility for doing so because I figured, I was worth it! Now, this is also where "Vet to Vet" started to make a difference in my life. Like I stated earlier, my feelings were excitement, this excitement prompted me to smile more, and take a look how to re-connect with myself. I started to take a look at my appearance to enhance that, also my personal values and feelings; I was now accountable, and coming into an awareness of myself. Ah life is good! I was seeing myself for who I am, and accepting myself. I was in the process of tearing down the walls I had erected as a defense to protect myself, and become willing to explore all options in my recovery! I have found that sharing with my sponsor or someone in "Vet to Vet", going to meetings and groups, helps I deal with my mental illness. Plus the knowledge from "Vet to Vet". I will always work on keep the back door closed where some element might to come in! I would never what to be too puffed up, and not have an awareness of my own disability!

"Vet to Vet" keeps me in pursuit of connecting with myself and others, and not only that, I have direction coupled with intent,  to take what has been invested in me, and share it with another veteran who is trudging the same road as me to connect with his or her self!

William Fasano

West LA Vet to Vet Program