Wounded Warrior Project, Bastion Community of Resilience Work Together to Change the Lives of Wounded Veterans

Joseph “Tyler” Smith’s life changed forever in 2012 during a tour in Afghanistan. The Army (82nd Airborne) veteran experienced a stroke (an acquired, non-traumatic brain injury), leaving him with residual neurological deficits that affect the right side of his body, memory, and emotional regulation.

Yet, like many post-9/11 generation warriors, the 35-year-old Georgia native is disciplined, focused, and fiercely independent. Thanks to the partnership between Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) and Bastion Community of Resilience, Tyler has been able to live more independently and takes great pride in the progress he’s made during his recovery.

“Being here has helped me to reintegrate and given me a community to be part of,” said Tyler, who has been living at Bastion Community of Resilience since September 2020. “That’s definitely helped me a lot and shows me that someone cares about me.”

A Community for Veterans with Brain Injuries

An enduring partner of WWP since 2015, Bastion Community of Resilience supports warriors and their families through the Headway Program, which provides a healing environment within an intentional community for veterans who have sustained brain injuries. Funded through a grant from WWP, the Headway Program helps post-9/11 wounded, ill, or injured warriors, specifically those living with brain and spinal cord injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or varied neurological conditions that require specialized rehabilitative services and social/emotional support for successful community reintegration.

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“Bastion first opened its doors on the program in 2019, providing a variety of group activities such as music therapy, art, group therapy, and community outings,” said Allison Tebbe, Headway’s Program Director. “In 2020, with the support of Wounded Warrior Project, we hired occupational therapist Rachel Schwenk. This allowed us to expand our offerings to include goal planning, home and community-based therapies, and more individualized support in general. We knew from the start that social connection and therapeutic support in the community would have a major positive impact on returning warriors living with brain injuries, but it's been incredible to watch that become reality over the past three years.”

Veteran participants receive community-based occupational therapy to build practical and vocational skills, connect with the community, and participate in recreational and wellness activities. Additionally, family support members are invited to participate in monthly respite events to support self-care.

“I’ve gotten better at keeping my place clean and doing it more independently,” Tyler said. “I used to have somebody come over and help me clean, but I’ve really wanted to stay on top of doing that myself. I’ve also really enjoyed being part of the art group here, doing music therapy, and just being around people again.”

Helping Veterans Live More Independently

Tyler recently graduated from the WWP Independence Program, which provides long-term support to catastrophically wounded veterans living with injuries that impact independence, such as a stroke or traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or neurological condition. He is also in the process of graduating from the Headway Program and moving away to live on his own.

According to data from WWP’s latest Annual Warrior Survey, about three in 10 (31.2%) of WWP warriors need aid and assistance from another person due to service-connected injuries or health problems and need an average of 55 hours of care per week. For these veterans with brain injuries or cognitive challenges, programs like Headway and the Independence Program offer the ongoing clinical care they need while giving them the independence and community they want.

“We are extremely grateful for Wounded Warrior Project’s partnership on the Headway program,” said Tebbe. “Their financial support is critical, but it's been so much more than that - they're true partners who share resources and knowledge with us as we grow Headway from an idea into the signature program for veterans with traumatic brain injuries in southeast Louisiana. Wounded Warrior Project has set the standard for what a national organization focused on veterans, families, and caregivers can achieve. They’re not only a great partner, but also a great model for us.”  

Rediscovering a Sense of Purpose