Navigating the road to recovery through the healing arts

Kiyakawa addresses guests, service members, caregivers and family members at the annual A Day of Healing Arts: From Clinic to Community event at the National Harbor Nov. 21, 2019. "It's about all of you, we see you and we recognize your strength."

“It was too hard. What I couldn’t put down on paper, I used the canvas and colors to reflect what I was going through at the time,” said Stolberg. Eventually, she began co-teaching the paint-pouring classes and helping others through their recovery by sharing her story. Stolberg recognizes that her road to recovery wasn’t taken alone. She recalls that when she would push back, and was filled with anger and bitterness, the AFW2 program did not give up on her.

“Anger and bitterness poisons your whole life, but look at what a little love can do. That’s what AFW2 did for me,” explained Stolberg, who has participated in A Day of Healing Arts with AFW2 for the past two years and feels it’s her responsibility to reach back to those who are in need. One of Stolberg’s ways of giving back was to become an AFW2 program ambassador. She now travels and tells her story to those who share similar struggles and encourages service members and their families that they too can heal and find that light again.

“Happy mistakes” lead to the healing effects of laughter

It’s not obvious that B.J. Lange is a two-time testicular cancer survivor with traumatic brain injury, PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety issues. Lange is a professional actor and comedian who uses his experience as a wounded service member to connect with his audience. Coaching service members on how to heal through improv comedy is his way of contributing to the breakthrough from darkness. The “Happy Mistakes” are a group of service members who learn through improvisation that comedy is a great art form that goes beyond just entertainment.

Rock to recovery

Many service members who shared their stories contributed their healing process to Rock to Recovery, a band founded by professional musician Wes Geer. Although not military-affiliated, Geer understands the struggles service members and their families since he has battled drug and alcohol abuse in the past. Geer founded Rock to Recovery as a way to transform lives through music. With over 450 sessions per month, Rock to Recovery is music to the ears, and medicine to the mind, soul, and healing hearts of a community that has difficulty finding other means of coping. Rock to Recovery brings joy to caregivers and family members as well.

“The Blue Halos,” an Air Force band from the community of caregivers, rocked this year’s crowd with caregiver-written songs to prove once again that music is another way of getting to a place of togetherness and unity.

Gratitude, support, resiliency, and encouragement were just a few words used by service members and caregivers alike to describe their journey. As they spoke to the day’s participants, much of their appreciation for the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program – and what it’s been able to accomplish – could be summed up in one word: family. With the support of family, any and all can be achieved.

To learn more about your service’s Wounded Warrior Program, please visit the Warrior Care webpage.

Read Mr. Thomas McCaffery's memo officially recognizing November as Warrior Care Month.