Gender	Female
Occupation	disabled female combat veteran (OIF 1), student, artist, advocate
Location	Marthasville, MO, United States
Links	Wishlist
Introduction	I joined the United States Army in February 1998 and was medically retired as a Sergeant in July 2006. I was always a highly motivated and efficient soldier. My awards include 3 Army Commendation Medals, 2 Army Achievement Medals, 2 Army Good Conduct Medals, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Combat Service Stripe, and 1st Armored Division Combat Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. I was sexually assaulted by a fellow servicemember in March 2001 while stationed in South Korea. I then deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in May 2003 with 1st Armored Division for Operation Iraqi Freedom. After being medevac'd from theatre, I was medically retired for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other "unspecified illness". Upon honorable discharge, I turned to drugs and alcohol to numb my feelings, flashbacks and nightmares from my service. Upon numerous attempts at rehabilitation, I finally became drug and alcohol free in November 2006. I continue in ongoing therapy, treatment for PTSD, and have a Service Dog named GI Joe to further my healing. I am a SURVIVOR and easing my way into THRIVING!
Interests	Reading, writing, skydiving, nature, hiking, poetry, photography
Favorite movies	What the Bleep Do we Know, You can Heal your life, The Shadow Effect, Gift, A Beautiful Mind, City of Lost Children, Mulholland Drive, Dead Poets Society, Dances With Wolves
Favorite music	Pink Floyd, Nine Inch Nails, How to Destroy Angels, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Puscifer, Deftones, Santogold, Aphex Twin
Favorite books	Disappearance of the Universe, Radical Forgiveness, Take Me To Truth, Conversations with God (Entire Series), Long Time No See, Autobiography of a Yogi, A Course In Miracles

All of the phone numbers have fallen out of your address book. Whose number do you look for first and why?

My only friend who truly gets me but I rarely see in person, Melanie!