As a mother and military member who has lost her son an Army veteran to suicide because of PTSD and the trauma of war; the Permission To Start Dreaming Foundation has given me hope that there are real opportunities for Post Traumatic growth and healing right here in the PNW. This organization has found real alternative programs and follow up car, to give tools to combat hopelessness, and make positive changes in veterans, active duty, and first responders. When I reached out after my loss, with open arms of compassion, they brought me in and gave me hope.

Before knowing about the foundation, I was living with PTSD and had accepted that my life was the best it was ever going to be. I was struggling and had no support group that really understood what it was like to live with Post Traumatic Stress. The foundation opened new possibilities that helped foster new hope within me. Thanks to them, I’ve attended Bolder Crest Retreat in Arizona, had my dog accepted into All American Assistances Dogs training program, ran races, and volunteered to serve in our community and give back. I’ve been inspired to help others realize that we have hope and that there is a way to achieve Post Traumatic Growth.

The Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation has had a direct impact on the lives combat veterans with PTSD through our local and national programs. They are partners in our efforts to develop alternative methods for overcoming PTSD through empowering both local and national vet run projects. The Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation is what all veteran service organizations should strive to be: in the trenches empowering veterans through local community support.

Teaching resilience through my personal story of 9/11 survival to the heroes who picked up the flag when we were down and out is one of the most rewarding ways I can respect & remember the lives of my friends who were taken too soon. Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation is a great way to reach our heroes who need to hear that story. I hope it helps them see the light of a beautiful life.

For the Seattle Seahawks, Permission to Start Dreaming has educated us on the nature of PTSD problems and solutions, and provided us with a way to give back to service members and their families. It has been invigorating to be involved in the Foundation’s professional and effective support of service men and women who have given so much to our country.

I have dealt with the Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation on several levels and I think the most amazing thing that the organization does is one of the hardest things to do in this field. Leslie and her team have learned how to connect the civilian populace to veterans and vice-versa. In a culture where there is a certain level of discomfort when these two disparate groups meet, Leslie has cracked the code and helped both groups understand how to communicate and take care of one another. This is a talent few other organizations have and is why I support them whenever I have the opportunity.