My Why: Vonnie Nealon

From the minute I heard about Warriors Heart I was drawn to find out all I could about the facility, their mission, and those that they are helping. I have worked in the field of chemical dependency since 2002 and during that time I have worked with numerous warriors in traditional treatment centers. I have observed that in the traditional treatment settings they frequently felt out of place and they had difficulty opening up to others in treatment with them and my heart hurt for them. I felt drawn to them their strength, their pain, and their will to live and to have better lives.

I grew up in a small west Texas town and lived a pretty sheltered life. Every Uncle I have served in the military however none of them would ever discuss where they had been, what had happened to them, or what they had seen. They were all very stoic about their service and it became a mystery to me. My dad didn’t serve as he was the youngest and was left to care for his mother and sister. My grandmothers discussed how their sons had changed, my mom and dad discussed how different their siblings were when they came home. I was raised to love, honor, and respect our military, to never take for granted the sacrifices of each and every one who ever served our country including any warrior.

My Why? Because every addict/alcoholic deserves to recover and no warrior should lose their lives to this disease!

I wish I could say my actions always showed what I was taught, unfortunately as a teen I found that for any and every problem in my life there was a drink or a drug that could change how I felt. At the age of 18 my family physician told me if I didn’t stop drinking I would die. I sobered up with the help of AA. I went to college to become a nurse so that I could help others. I worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse and nine years my life was good, I married and although the marriage failed I left it with an awesome son. When the marriage failed I relapsed on alcohol and methamphetamine. The further down the path I went the worse my life became and unfortunately I got to know another side of law enforcement. I was treated with dignity and respect that I did not deserve. Without going into it, my drug dealer cut a deal and I was given a second or should I say third chance to change my life. I promised that man that I would give something back. I could not think of a better way to give something back then to work with other addicts and alcoholics.

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.
_{–Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning}

I returned to college to become a licensed chemical dependency counselor. I wanted to honor those in my life who had shown me love, dignity, and respect especially when I did not deserve it. Since obtaining my license in 2002 I have worked as an LCDC, or an educator. What I find by being a counselor is that I have the ability to reach out to others who suffer with the same disease of addiction that I have.

My family remains a military family, including my husband who is retired Air Force, my son who served in the Army and numerous nephews who served or continue to serve in all branches of the Armed Forces. I have seen the devastation that war causes, the changes that occur in each individual and the ways in which many turn to alcohol or drugs to help them cope with where they have been and what has happened either to them or around them. I believe that those who serve our country deserve the very best treatment available to help them return to their loved ones, that no one who sacrifices their lives for this country be left behind, therefore I use Viktor Frankl’s work and the following quote as my philosophy when working with those who suffer from chemical abuse and addiction.

Love is the only way to grasp another human being in the innermost core of his personality. No one can become fully aware of the very essence of another human being unless he loves him. By his love he is enabled to see the essential traits and features in the beloved person; and even more, he sees that which is potential in him, which is not yet actualized but yet ought to be actualized. Furthermore, by his love, the loving person enables the beloved person to actualize these potentialities. By making him aware of what he can be and of what he should become, he makes these potentialities come true.
_{–Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning}

My Why? Because every addict/alcoholic deserves to recover and no warrior should lose their lives to this disease!

-Vonnie Nealon
Warriors Heart

Warriors Heart

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