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healing waters
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I am free today or tomorrow for a pre-chat if you like. Out of cell range Thurs-Sunday.
We have a fishing outing Sat. May 6 at Beinhauer Farm – our host (we have class at a Sportsmen’s association. I just want them to give OK on taking pictures etc.)
Founded in 2005 with the idea to help disabled veterans recover from both physical, emotional, mental wounds of war through the recreational activity of fly fishing.
It’s not just a one and done fishing trip. It’s an ongoing class structure.
What we found is that continuously seeing these veterans over and over is it builds relationships, it builds trust, which can help veterans as they’re transitioning back to civilian life. That can be a challenge for some veterans coming back after only having a military career.
It’s a nationwide 501 c3
Over 200 programs all across the country.
It’s run by volunteers with a small paid staff.
In 2005 a navy veteran named Ed Nicholson was receiving treatment at Walter Reed Hospital. He was a bot down cancer treatments and he was a fly fisherman.
he would go out on the lawn of the hospital and he would practice fly casting and then he got other patients in the hospital to come out with him. Then he had the idea wouldn’t it be great if I could take these guys out fly fishing and get them out to nature for the day and get them away from hospitals and all of that negative crap in their life. It just exploded from there.
The Pittsburgh program has classes in four areas – Library, Lawrenceville, White Oak and VA Hospital in Aspinwall.
Used to be only for in patients and VA Hospital.
We quickly realized needed to start some more classes n the evenings to make them more amenable with their schedule.
Participation has been great. We’re lucky in this area. We have a lot of skilled fly fishermen. We’ve got a good volunteer base. We have a good donor base and we’ve got the participants. It all came together really well here.
between all of our classes, about 30 who a pretty active.
Been volunteering for veterans non-profit since 2007.
Amanda’s involvement
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My mom’s side of the family is very military. I wanted to do something to help especially since 9/11. fell in love with fly fishing.
“This is like my two passions combined in one thing. It’s obviously a path that I’m on now and it’s so rewarding. After my family this is the best thing that’s happened to me.
I have seen some amazing transformations in veterans.
Angry veteran .
next morning caught a couple fish and that night around the campfire he was a totally different person.
I see this happening and it’s like wow.
Program lead.
Library Sportsmen’s Association. 6:30 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m.
The ones who are shy and really don’t talk a lot will text me the next day and say I had a blast, I had the best time.
They’re already coming into an environment where they don’t have to explain them,selves, they just get it.
veterans always help veterans outside in nature, relaxing and calming and puts them in a good headspace.
This is therapy without the therapy. No counselors, just fly fisherman volunteers.
Program lead for Pittsburgh.