Nathan

Army Sergeant Nathan Smith was on active duty from 2004 to 2013. He sustained three injuries all resulting in Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). Nathan developed early onset Parkinson’s disease at age 30 because of toxic exposure and head injuries. Due to the vast number of symptoms caused by multiple TBIs, Nathan was misdiagnosed multiple times and put on medication that was just as toxic as the exposures from his service.
 

It took seven years from the initial onset to get the diagnosis due to the rarity of Parkinson’s in his age group. During that time, he grew increasingly weary as each day passed. Nathan felt angrier at the world, angrier at himself, was fed up with his medical experience, because he couldn’t figure out why he had become an unstable, unpredictable person. No one could figure out the root cause to why he felt so bad. Nathan developed a tremor on the right side, his entire body was getting stiffer by the day, so he struggled to walk. There was also the anger, aggression, suicidal ideation, passive death wish, and road rage. This led to him being arrested for assault in 2019. Since then he has been through 947 hours of traditional therapy including DBT, CBT, ACT and Group and individual therapy. Although these therapies helped some, they wasn’t enough to get him back to where he used to be – not even 50% of the way back. Nathan believed there had to be other way to get back to being the kind, loving, helpful, thoughtful, forgiving person he used to be. The hopeless romantic that his wife had fallen in love with. Unfortunately, the person he had become was not someone she wanted to stay with, and they divorced in May 2022. 

 

In April 2023 overhearing a conversation about an organization called Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA), Nathan inquired about what he heard and was able to get contact information. He reached out and was invited to one of the Outdoor Adventures where he learned more about the organization, including about the Warrior PATHH program. He attended Warrior PATHH in July 2023. Nathan now has a stronger relationship with people close to him and feels better prepared to tackle his son’s teenage years.
 

“I can’t think of a program out there that remotely compares to Warrior PATHH or SDIA. I’m happy to say I have completed the 90-day commitment to PATHH.  I have learned so much through this program. How to control my emotions and not let them become anger or hatred. How to listen to others and not talk over them. I rediscovered the compassion, forgiveness, and gentle touch that I had lost. I have forgiven so many people that wronged me, so much stress, and weight has been lifted off my shoulders. For the first time in a decade, I can honestly say I’m happy, and look forward to what the future holds”.