Story by Brad Fuller | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyon
It’s Veterans Day, and I want to share a personal story that has profoundly shaped me. After 19 deployments during my 20-year career in the Air Force—most of those in the last decade, post-9/11—I retired. But I wasn’t quite done. I returned overseas as a U.S. contractor, completing another 20-plus deployments to various locations around the globe. These experiences left me with scars—some visible but most invisible—as I wrestled with the lingering impacts of combat, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
About a year and a half ago, I underwent treatment at Resiliency Brain Health in Coppell, Texas. This journey started with my friend Johnny Wilson, who I served with in the contracting world. Johnny and I have been through some tough moments together, and he knows firsthand what this kind of life can take from a person. We share a bond that only comes from spending years in some challenging environments. Johnny saw what I was going through, and he knew that I needed help, even if I wasn’t ready to admit it. He told me about Resiliency Brain Health and then used Coast X Coast, an organization he’s deeply invested in, to get me there.
Through Johnny’s encouragement and the support of Coast X Coast, I found my way to Resiliency Brain Health. Alongside Coast X Coast, Defenders of Freedom played a vital role in making this experience happen, ensuring that veterans like me could access the support we so often need but rarely ask for. The support and dedication of people like Johnny, Donna Cranston, and Dr. Scharlene Gaudet were instrumental in my journey, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
Donna Cranston, the founder of Defenders of Freedom, is a relentless advocate for veterans, especially those of us dealing with the hidden battles of PTSD and TBI. Her passion for helping veterans is matched only by her compassion and understanding of the challenges we face. Donna was there to ensure that I—and countless others—had the resources and support needed to take those first difficult steps toward healing. Her unwavering commitment to the veteran community has made her a lifeline for so many of us.
Then there’s Dr. Scharlene Gaudette and her team at *Resiliency Brain Health*. Dr. Gaudet is a specialist in brain health and neurorehabilitation, and her approach to treatment goes beyond just addressing the symptoms; she understands the psychological and emotional impacts of trauma. Under her guidance, I learned to recognize the habits and patterns that had quietly defined me for years. Dr. Gaudet’s work gave me an awareness that now serves as the foundation of my self-care. This wasn’t a quick fix; it’s a daily fight. But the tools and insights I gained from her were life-changing, helping me regain a sense of control over my life.
This treatment has been essential in making my life better. It didn’t erase the memories or remove the struggles entirely, but it gave me a path forward—a way to manage the weight I carry. I’ve come to understand my triggers, recognize destructive patterns, and, most importantly, find ways to reclaim my life. Resiliency Brain Health helped me build a foundation of awareness and resilience that I rely on daily. Because of this treatment, I’m able to be more present for my family and more hopeful about my future.
Initially, I felt unsure about going through this treatment, thinking others might need/deserve it more than I did. But looking back, I now see how necessary it was—not just for me but for those closest to me. You don’t always realize how dire your situation is until you get to the other side of it… and only then can you begin to understand the weight your loved ones have been silently carrying.
For me, that’s my wife, Michele, and my two beautiful daughters, Madison and Morgan. They’ve endured countless nights of worry and the strain of watching me struggle. Michele has held our family together through our hardest times, bearing burdens most will never see, while Madison and Morgan have grown up with a father who left a little bit off himself in all the places he went to work over a 27-year career. Their sacrifices are immense, and they bear them in silence, without recognition or fanfare, enduring the invisible costs of my service on behalf of our nation.
When we speak of service and sacrifice, we must also honor the families who stand beside us, giving everything they have to help us find our way back. Their quiet strength and resilience deserve just as much respect and gratitude as the veterans they support.
This story, as you’ve probably noticed, has little to do with fishing. This is about using my platform to shed light on an issue that has drastically impacted my life and the lives of countless others. I’ve lost count of the co-workers from my military and contracting days who have taken their own lives. Their struggles don’t just vanish. We all need support. Thanks to people like Donna Cranston, Dr. Gaudet, and Johnny Wilson, I found the help I needed, and I hope this encourages other veterans to seek the same.
For those looking to make a lasting impact, I urge you to support organizations like Coast X Coast and Defenders of Freedom. People like Johnny, Donna, and Dr. Gaudet are making a real difference, one veteran at a time, helping us find strength in the struggle and a path toward healing.
