As we were sitting in the office of the command's clinical psychologist at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, I had a moment that made me giggle out loud. And what I said to the clinical psychologist who was part of the team that brought us in, was, "So what you're saying is that basically, it was a snowball's chance in hell that The Power of Play and the US Army would be here working together...with Richard and I sitting in front of you."
And she said, "Yep. That's about right. You are the snowball, Rahla, and this is hell!"
Wow! From our initial "read-ahead" white paper (which was a new term for us) back in December, 2007, to yesterday's acknowledgment from the Colonel who was the other part of the team who hired us, we are now taking a deep breath to share with you what a unique, powerful, creative, laughter filled, exhausting, miraculous journey this intersection in the history of The Power of Play and The Power of Play Approach has been.
Our goal is to work with returning veterans who are suffering with the suddenly broken life that PTSD, deep brain trauma and the amputation of limbs brings. We know The Power of Play Approach works, because of our experience in the 1980's with veterans from another war - the Vietnam war.
At that time we were working at a support center for homeless and mentally ill adults in Santa Monica, called Step Up On Second. One day a couple of Vietnam veterans showed up in my class. One, in particular, was hesitant to participate. On the spot I began an exercise that has become a staple in The Power of Play repertoire of games. I asked him to tell a true story from his life that had something to do with a pair of shoes. His story was inspiring, poignant and wonderful. He told of how he had been a Rhodes Scholar and was on his way to Oxford, when he went to Paris for a short holiday. He found a pair of shoes in a small shop that made him feel like a king when he put them on. He blew his holiday budget to buy the shoes, but they were worth it.
The smile and openness of this man who moments before had been closed off and shut down, told me that something important had happened. Soon other vets were showing up in my class. The reason? They said they heard they could tell their stories there. They also said that my class was one of the few places where they could laugh and enjoy some humor, instead of the usual gripe and complain sessions that they were used to.
Now, with a new war and a new wave - make that tidal wave - of veterans returning, I know we have an important job to do. Our Approach helps people discover or rediscover their creativity, authenticity and natural sense of humor. That practice has health benefits that science is now validating. But more importantly, I believe our fun and easy methods bring people - whether they be dealing with cancer, chronic illness or deep brain trauma - to a familiar place within themselves that they may have forgotten about. It is kind of like going through your old junk drawer and finding some treasure you haven't thought about in decades. You are reminded of who you were then, with all the feelings of excitement and anticipation that each adventure in life brings. It is almost like meeting an old friend on the street. Only the old friend is you!
