Help Navy Veteran Dustin Gruwell Overcome PTSD

Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters,

We are Lindsey Garhart and Kelli Little, and we're writing on behalf of our brother, Dustin Gruwell. Dustin is a Navy veteran who dedicated 10 years of his life to serving our country, including two deployments to Iraq in 2009 and 2010. He committed a decade to protecting our freedom, but now he's facing battles of a different kind here at home. Today, we're reaching out because Dustin is struggling with the aftermath of his service – severe PTSD and other mental health challenges – and he needs our support more than ever. The road to recovery is long and challenging, but with your help, we can make it a little easier for him.

Since returning from his service, Dustin has been battling severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), along with depression and anxiety. These aren't just words on a page – we've watched our brother struggle daily with the weight of the traumatic experiences he endured during his decade of service. The PTSD affects every aspect of his life, making it difficult for him to maintain relationships, hold down a job, and even perform everyday tasks.

As Dustin's sisters, we knew something had changed after his deployments to Iraq. We noticed subtle differences in his behavior and demeanor. Over time, these changes became more pronounced, and we've watched with growing concern as his mental health has progressively declined. What started as occasional nightmares and mood swings has evolved into a daily struggle that impacts every aspect of his life.

For those who know Dustin, you understand the kind of person he is. He's always been the type of guy who treats everyone with kindness and respect, living by the golden rule of treating others the way he wants to be treated. Dustin's integrity and character are beyond reproach. He's incredibly social, always ready with a smile or a helping hand for anyone in need. In fact, he's the kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back without hesitation. It's these qualities that make it even harder to see him struggling now.

For eight long years after leaving the military in 2016, Dustin tried to cope on his own. He didn't want to burden anyone with his problems, but the toll it took was immense. This July, things came to a head, and he finally sought emergency help at the VA. Dustin was hospitalized from July 9th to September 6th, 2024 – nearly two months. During this entire time, he was not receiving any income, which forced him to deplete his emergency savings completely. Dustin's journey to recovery is far from over; his continued care and outpatient services at the VA will last for months, requiring ongoing treatment and support.

To make matters worse, just three days after being discharged from the hospital, on September 9th, 2024, Dustin was laid off from his job. This unexpected loss of employment has added significant financial stress to an already overwhelming situation, especially as he continues to manage his PTSD symptoms and navigate the complex challenges of the VA system.

It's important to note that Dustin is now in recovery, actively working to overcome his mental health challenges and rebuild his life. This journey of recovery is a testament to his strength and determination, but it also requires ongoing support and resources.

The funds we're hoping to raise will go towards covering Dustin's essential living expenses like his mortgage, utility bills, and food. They'll also help with ongoing therapy and treatments not covered by the VA. Dustin is eager to explore alternative therapies that have shown promise in helping veterans cope with PTSD. Additionally, these funds will help Dustin as he works to manage his PTSD symptoms and navigate the often-complicated VA processes. We're also hoping to rebuild a small emergency fund for any unexpected costs during this difficult time.

Your support, no matter the amount, will make a world of difference to Dustin. It will allow him to focus on his mental health and recovery, especially managing his PTSD symptoms and working through VA challenges, without the constant worry of financial ruin. It will give him a fighting chance to regain his footing and work towards stability after this long period without income.

Thank you for taking the time to read about our brother's story. Your generosity can help a veteran – our brother – reclaim his life after serving our country for a decade and facing these unexpected mental health challenges.

With deepest gratitude,

Lindsey Garhart and Kelli Little