Pay It Forward

You can make a difference by donating today to Pay It Forward.

I was born in Camp Lejeune. My father and uncle were proud Marines. My son was in the Air National Guard Reserves. My nephews and cousins have also served in the military.

I have always resonated with Patrick Henry’s battle cry, “Give me liberty or give me death!” But it wasn’t until my son, Matthew, was informed that his platoon needed to prepare for combat that I felt challenged as a mother and an American. He was told to get his equipment together and to write that letter. (You know, THAT letter in case he didn’t return.) My friends said, “Tina, you know enough people that you can get him pulled out.” I was torn and feeling sick to my stomach when I thought of my only son dying on a battlefield, but I decided that I was not going to attempt to pull any strings.

When I realized that I was willing to support my only son in going to war (to a country I didn’t even know the name of!), I came to appreciate that even if I don’t agree with everything my country does, I deeply believe in what my country stands for. That is when I “got it.” I understood what it means to be a patriotic American.

Since then, I have even more appreciation and respect for the people who have sacrificed their time and freedom so that we might sleep more peacefully at night, feel free to pursue our goals, and state our opinions without fear of being imprisoned or murdered!

I have been a therapist for over four decades, and over those years, I have had many experiences (formally and informally) with veterans who were traumatized. I felt honored that I have been able to help them transform their PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) into PTG (post-traumatic growth) opportunities!

Most recently, I have learned that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can help to heal the body and the brain. With this treatment, physical and psychological trauma concluding PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and TBI (traumatic brain injury) can be reversed, minimized, and, in many cases, healed.

This GoFundMe effort is to raise enough money to get a hyperbaric oxygen chamber that will be used to help people who are interested in reversing the aging process, improving brain function, and optimizing mental, physical, and emotional health. As a bonus, and thank you to our men and women in the service, the fourth seat in the chamber will be (with your help!) reserved for our veterans to experience the healing power of hyperbaric oxygen therapy at no cost to them or their families!