Resilience

 
The photo shown above is the photo of the vehicle I was in on October 22, 2007. It was this very moment that changed my life. A large I.E.D, 150 lbs. of unidentified bulk explosive, detonated directly under the seat that I was seated in. Though the armor of that truck separated myself and the blast I still took the brunt of that explosion. I was unconscious for several minutes. When I woke from that darkness everything about me was changed.

As a Combat Engineer on my third deployment this wasn't the first time that I had experienced a blast, but it was the largest that I had received. The combination of past blast and that last was devastating to my body. Things that were affected were my balance, memory, emotions, and speech... among many other things. After evaluation it was determined that I needed to go to Walter Reed to receive further treatment. Indeed, I went to Walter Reed and was in their care for about five months. During that five months I received occupational therapy, speech therapy, and pain management. It was a very challenging time.

When I arrived back at my home station when I left Walter Reed there were other challenges that I faced. Along with receiving more therapy I started the process of a early retirement due to my injuries. I didn't want this at all however, it was in the best interest of the Army and for myself. It took almost a year for this process to take place and then I was on my way home. When I left the Army I determined that if I can get a fit for duty status to return back to the Army that I could say that I truly had gotten better.

It wasn't that easy, but I was determined to recover because I didn't like feeling that way and wanted to be better. After being on retirement for three years I did get that fit for duty status and returned back to work to finish my contract that I had with the Army.

I am now leaving the Army with an honorable discharge. While back on Active Duty I deployed once again and received a lot of great training. There was a great consensus that because I rehabilitated to come back in the Army that I was a great candidate to receive the training of resilience. I received Master Resilience and other resilience training in order to teach others in the military how to be resilient for the many challenges that we face in the military.

My story of being "blown up" and being injured isn't a unique story especially in our time of being in a couple of different wars for over a decade. However, my story of overcoming those challenges and being resilient is unique. It is so unique that when I tell people that I re-entered the Army after an injury like that they are shocked.

Because I am a Christian with this story of overcoming I have been asked to speak at groups and churches. It is my fullest intention to start setting up my calendar to start speaking with groups and churches to encourage. You see, it wasn't me that had the ability to overcome this, it was my faith in Christ and His ability in my life.

There is so much going on right now in the world that people's resilience is fading. I believe that we as a whole were more resilient in times past, but with all that is going on it becomes harder and harder to keep that resilience. I believe that is why there are so many programs popping up all over to teach resilience. One of the biggest attractions right now is the resilience training in the Army and rightly so. Soldiers need it abundantly due to many different circumstances. Organizations all over are starting to also turn to this training as well. Again, rightly so because it is very important especially in our day and time.

I also believe that resilience is something that we as Christians have always known as overcoming. Resilience just has a better "ring" to it than when we say "overcome". Either way, whether we say resilience or overcome it is important that we learn or relearn these fundamentals that we used to know and it starts with Encouragement.

After some encouragement from a friend that told me that I really should use my story to encourage others I have decided to do just that. Starting mid October I will be available to start visiting churches and groups. If you would like for me to come speak at a church or with a group please email me and let me know. I am also working on a program that I believe is really important that will also help people to be more resilient and would also love to share that with people as well. If interested in having me to speak and/or teach this program let me know. My e-mail is rogergriggsministry@gmail.com.