Army Veteran Tells Her Story of Healing Through Crafts

“I believe Help Heal Veterans (HHV) saved me, they gradually came into my life, and I grabbed hold of the help, I wanted to let go sometimes, but I didn’t." Says Dalia Cox.
According to the National Centre for PTSD Women in the military are at high risk for exposure to traumatic events, especially during times of war. Currently, about 15 percent of all military personnel in Iraq are women.

Dalia Cox served in the U.S. army and witnessed the many atrocities of war that are hard to forget. Five out of ten women experience a traumatic event. Women tend to experience different traumas than men. While both men and women report the same symptoms of PTSD.

"I have Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and severe Post Traumatic Brain Injury (PTSD) or combat stress as I call it. I have prosthetic interior parts to my ankle, and I have had seven surgeries, two shoulder surgeries, wrist, and knee injuries. That’s army life I fought for my country and I don’t regret it. Working with the therapeutic craft kits at HHV brings me peace- I wish every veteran could try it.” Says Cox.

Help Heal Veterans provides free therapeutic arts and craft kits to hospitalized and homebound veterans. HHV has delivered nearly 31 million of these arts and crafts kits to veterans and veteran facilities nationwide, along with active duty military overseas.

Cox served in the U.S. army and witnessed the many atrocities of war that are hard to forget.
“I enjoyed the army –but there were some terrifying and vivid memories. You join the army to help people and save lives but sometimes that’s not possible. We were overseas I witnessed an Improvised explosive device (IED).

“Our unit was going north to Baghdad, and unfortunately, the vehicle in front of me was hit. I was driving a fuel tanker I couldn’t stop, I wasn’t able to save them, I had young soldiers with me, and I had to keep going and that was hard, the vehicle went over a bridge, but I couldn’t risk more lives, and that was hard. That’s just one memory of many that’s hard to forget.” Says Cox.
According to the National Center for PTSD, some symptoms are more common in women than men. Women are more likely to be jumpy, to have more trouble feeling emotions, and avoid things that remind them of the trauma.

Cox adds, “I was in an art program for therapy with the Veterans Association (VA) that helped me a lot. I noticed Kathy from HHV at an event, and she was talking about crafts. I wasn’t sure at first about joining HHV and being part of the art therapy program. I got to know her, and she asked me about volunteering, and eventually, I decided to try it, and that was eight years ago.”
“Using the craft kits from HHV puts me in the zone. I get into a zone that enables me to be creative and get outside the box I am in – it keeps me focused and looking forward and not looking backward. Before trying these craft kits, I was not crafty at all I couldn’t even paint before I came to HHV. Give yourself a break-you can do it.”

“ The kits helped me, and now I am volunteering and helping others. There are so many people I like working with; I see so many people, and I have made lots of friends. There is one young man who was in Iraq he came to HHV, and he started getting some kits, and he started letting go a little and started progressing better and better- so I think to me he stands out as someone I helped. It's good for him and his wife and his little girl he does work on these craft kits with his little girl.” Cox said.

“I want more people to see the benefits I have seen. I believe that donations help the veterans. Helping a vet is an honor, and a lot of people don’t think about it they just go on with their everyday lives. Its one of the greatest programs a vet can have in their lives. Veterans say that we never leave a soldier behind and I can say that about HHV they are always there for me.