Newcastle Veterans Program: “I'm with 10 of the closest strangers I've ever met”
Words: Hugh McQuire, WOW Participant, Veterans Program
My Story:
The sun has yet to rise over the sea. We're in our wetsuits, sitting on our surfboards in a circle, toes gently digging in the sand. I'm with 10 of the closest strangers I've ever met. It's only week six of the program and yet I feel like I've known these other veterans for years.
As we're going around the group, trying to explain to everyone what is our 'identity', the sun starts to peek over the horizon, the USAF exchange member says just one word to illustrate the sight: "beautiful".
We pause, and everyone just watches the big orange ball of fire, lift from the depths of the dark ocean. Our mental health clinician, Maddy, tells us to look to the West and in a moment I've never experienced before, we witness the full moon setting. This opposition of unearthly objects occurs whilst we're revealing what it is about our identities that makes us, us. I feel a moment of vulnerability, as I think about being such a small being on earth, between the sun and the moon, while I'm trying to express how I've gone from 21 years in the military, to now an injured, but healing veteran.
15 minutes in, and the 48 year old veteran on my right lays down on his board, stretching his back, because his back is stuffed.
I'm listening to others trying to explain what their identity is? I hear common themes. 'I was once a high performing military airman/ soldier/ sailor and all of a sudden I've been medically retired. Who am I? This is not how I plan things to be.'
I look around at my new friends and most of them are going through the same issue I am. And it feels OK. We're going to get through this. Together.
20 minutes in. Now the 40 year old veteran opposite me has to stand up and stretch. His back is stuffed too, and he's riddled with pain like I am. We're the same age. Both served since 18 and both now trying to navigate life with a few more issues.
We only have two weeks to go with our surf therapy program. Everyone can feel that the end is near. But rest assured, we've already organised 'post WoW catch ups', from our WhatsApp chat group, to be conducted at the beach of course, getting some more saltwater therapy and to share stories and help each other out over coffee.
60 minutes in. We are asked to move forward and to push sand into a pile in the middle of our circle. The ex-army medic to my left starts laughing. She says, "all I could hear then was the cracking and popping of everyone as you tried to get up!". She's right. The iconic sound of injured veterans is amplified through the stillness of the morning air. Again, I feel reassurance knowing that I'm not alone in my injuries, and more importantly, in my healing.
"Should we go for a surf now?" asks Maddy. Yes, yes we shall. The waves are ready for us to join. After our warm up on the shore, we lift our boards and with no military precision, no grace, no structure, we just scramble out into the surprisingly warm water.
A few quick paddles later, I'm turning around, lining up towards to sand and ready to feel the force of the ocean guide me forward. In my head I'm reciting the instructions our surf instructor, Todd, has taught us:
Push up. Right leg turn in. Left leg up and through. Knees bent. I'm up! I'm surfing! Somehow through the noise of the crashing waves I can hear the cheers and yells and "yeewwws" from my surfing buddies.
After our two hour session, we're drinking coffee, watching the beach and laughing while sharing stories. In this moment, I feel better. Physically, mentally, spiritually, socially better.
Waves of Wellness just makes you better.