Warriors of Camp Southern Ground

TERRY DICKSON

Terry is a Warrior PATHH and Warrior Week alum who joined the Navy at 19. This is his story.

I believe PATHH not only saved my life, it also gave me a new and better understanding of the life I now live.”

I grew up near Ashley, Ohio and joined the Navy at 19. I served for 22 years and retired in 2009. I served on submarines and in the Persian Gulf performing Combat System validation and operational procedures on mine sweepers and mine hunter ships.

I was terrified to retire from the military because I was used to the structure and camaraderie of the military. I suffered many physical and mental injuries and had a hard time transitioning to civilian life. I was struggling financially and mentally and couldn’t hold down a job. I was depressed and didn’t know what to do or where to turn.

Thanks to Camp Southern Ground, I have a new outlook on life. PTSD has become PTS. I have found my way through the darkness and have a sense of peace and purpose that I couldn’t seem to find before. PATHH made me realize that I wasn’t alone, and others felt as I had. I found an inner strength and peace when I left everything I was carrying at Camp Southern Ground.

I can’t fully express the gratitude I have for the PATHH guides and their help getting through struggling poorly and into the realm of struggling well. Life didn’t really change much but my perception and the way I responded instead of reacting changed. I believe PATHH not only saved my life, it also gave me a new and better understanding of the life I now live.

I have learned to Struggle Well. You are not what happened to you.