Stories from Veterans and Families
Giving a voice to the Veteran and Family community, one story at a time
one story at a time
Stories heal. Whether in telling one’s own or in hearing the experiences of another – stories often provide a spark of hope. These digital stories have been created by Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Veterans and Family members from across Canada. Told in their own words, they share a thread of recovery and resilience. In bringing these stories to life, the hope is to support others on their own journeys.
If you need support, please visit our resources page for a directory of services available to current and former members of the military and RCMP and their Families.
Brian
Brian is a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran. Reflecting on his personal experience as a soldier serving Canada and seeing conflict up close, led him to question, “Am I a good man?” His story speaks to the conflicting emotions and thoughts from balancing his military identity and work with other parts of his life, leading him to understand the moral implications of war.
Chance
When Chance returned from a military deployment to Afghanistan, fear, anger and resentment followed him. They whispered doubts that sought to convince him he had to control everything around him, or risk losing what he loved. One day, overwhelmed by the pressure, he made a conscious choice to let go and stop worrying about the things outside of his control and be fully present as a father and husband. The difference was noticeable to those around him and he could feel it too. Letting go of control has strengthened his relationships and given him back his life.
Charlene
Charlene is the mother of a Royal Military College of Canada cadet who died by suicide. This is her story of learning to “lift her head again.” She gives us a glimpse into her struggles as she navigated through her grief and loss. It is a story of learning, perseverance and love.
Daphne
Daphne and her husband are both Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Veterans. She shares their unique experience as a dual-service, blended Family who experienced “cracks” in their marriage after her husband’s posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis and a forced retirement due to her experiencing her own health challenges. Relearning how to live life and embracing change allowed them to become stronger because of the journey, repairing the cracks together.
Diane
As one of the first women to enlist in the Infantry combat trade, Diane openly shares her experiences of facing abuse, discrimination and harassment while proving herself as a soldier. Diane’s story speaks to strength, resilience, and to the power of kindness.
Grant
Growing up as the only child of two military Veterans — including one with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — Grant was unaware his experiences as a child were far from typical. He found solace in the arts and used those same tools to help other youth with parents impacted by operational stress injuries. Grant made it his mission to help them understand their parents’, to know it’s not their fault and that they are not responsible for their parents’ injuries. Today he continues to support the Veteran and Family community, listening with empathy and without judgment.
Guylaine
Guylaine’s story is about finding her voice after years of silence following an early experience of military sexual trauma. A 21-year career of “mission before self” had her longing for value and recognition, feeling empty inside. She talks about the value of using her voice to heal herself.
Jim S.
Military chaplains have a special role in walking with and providing care to soldiers experiencing combat. However, when their own supports fall apart, what is the result? Jim S. speaks to the impact of what spiritual caregiving can look like in a war zone, and beyond.
Jim W.
As a child, Jim W. saw the positive difference a Mountie could make and knew this would be his career path. What he didn’t know was the toll the types of calls he would be on — and the things he would see — would have on his own mental health. The retired RCMP staff sergeant speaks about the importance of reaching out for help, and the immense value of mentors and guides.
Josh
Josh shares his struggles with his identity as a soldier, from the time he joined the Canadian Armed Forces out of high school, to his life after Afghanistan. He talks about how releasing his grip on the past allowed him to go from using alcohol to cope with physical and mental injuries to becoming sober, clear-minded and with a new lease on life — and his future.
Kathleen
Kathleen’s service as a military spouse spans over 40 years. While her husband served around the world, she kept the home front safe, holding her breath for herself and her children, living in constant worry for his safety. She was eventually diagnosed with her own operational stress injury and moral injury, recognizing that injuries don’t just happen on the battlefield. Today, she has found the therapies and other supports that work best for her and is focused on maintaining her own wellness and returning to a whole life.
Laryssa
Laryssa describes herself as a proud military Family member — as a daughter, spouse and mom to currently serving and former CAF members. She shares her story of what it takes to love a warrior, while discovering the importance of also taking care of herself as she supports her husband living with PTSD.
Laurence
Laurence joined the military at the age of 17, during what felt like a directionless time in his life. Initially he found the structure and purpose he had sought, but after years of career disappointments and medical challenges, he once again struggled to find purpose and meaning. After a medical release, it took 13 years of hard work, but the pieces came back together. What didn’t break him helped reshape and forge a new, stronger and more purposeful life.
Patrick
Patrick felt his entire career in the Canadian Armed Forces had prepared him for Afghanistan. The fog of war and its chaos was not something he ever thought might change him. But after one life-altering moment during a deployment, he was left frustrated, disappointed, sad and angry. After returning home to Canada, he realized these changes were a response to the trauma he had experienced. He sought help for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and with time has learned to embrace life and live to the fullest, no matter the challenge.
Polliann
Polliann is the spouse of a CAF Veteran. Her story addresses the challenges that Family members often face while living with a loved one with mental health issues. She speaks to the masks that Family members hide behind in order to function in daily life.
Richard
Military leaders may experience unique challenges, given the responsibility they feel for those under their command. Richard’s story gives a glimpse into the impact of leading in a combat zone, and shares his thoughts about the moral injury that he experienced as a result.
Ross
Ross is no stranger to the concept of vicarious trauma — what people can feel when they are indirectly exposed to someone else’s trauma — having experienced it both as a former RCMP member and later with the Calgary Police Service. There are certain situations that have a profound impact on everyone involved. In this story, he speaks to the importance of friendship and trust in recovery.
Shauna
As an Indigenous Veteran and woman struggling with mental and physical injuries sustained during her military career, Shauna reflects on how finding support in her community and Indigenous culture has given her stability, allowing her to heal herself and others and to live a good and healthy life.
Tabitha
Tabitha is a retired master corporal who served as a CAF medic. Her story of her experience with PTSD highlights the unique struggles related to women’s mental health, being in survival mode, numbness and learning to live again with feelings and emotions.
Tanis
Living her life in the shadow of her husband’s PTSD following his 28-year career with the RCMP, Tanis describes how the changes in him slowly created changes in her too, without her noticing. It wasn’t until after his death that she realized she had also lost herself. Now, she is reclaiming her life and healing by putting herself first and discovering who she truly is.
Tim
Tim’s story provides us with the perspective of the male spouse of a Veteran living with a mental health injury. Tim shares his powerful story of loving and supporting his wife as he also comes to terms with the weight that her diagnosis has had on him.
