Journey to Wellness: Inspiring Stories from Veterans and VA Staff - Featuring Veteran James

Six years ago, at the recommendation of my provider, I took my first steps into the world of Whole Health. At the time, I was seeking support for PTSD. I began with a Whole Health coach and, of all the options, felt most comfortable starting with Aromatherapy. I’ll be honest—when it came to the other programs like Tai Chi and Yoga, I was hesitant. I’d convinced myself that group activities “weren’t for me” and had plenty of misconceptions about what these activities entailed.

Then, my life took a dramatic turn. In January 2021, I suffered a stroke. This was followed by a series of surgeries to my right shoulder and left knee. Physical and speech therapies helped, but the aftereffects lingered—balance issues, falls, overwhelming stimulation that brought on dizziness, anxiety, and even stuttering. I understood the importance of rebuilding the neural connections in my brain, but thought that just adding a few mindfulness exercises, as my mental health counselor suggested, would be enough. I resisted her encouragement to explore more of what Whole Health had to offer.

That changed on January 6, 2026, when I slipped on ice and took a hard fall. The pain was intense, sharper than ever before. During my next physical therapy appointment, I finally asked my therapist what he thought about the VA’s Tai Chi program. He smiled and encouraged me to give it a try, handing me a Whole Health brochure and putting in the consult request then and there.

From the first Tai Chi class, I felt welcomed. The instructor set a supportive, friendly tone, and the group of fellow Veterans—diverse in age and background—reminded me I wasn’t alone. The pace was gentle, encouraging learning rather than competition. I felt camaraderie forming in that room.

Three months later, the impact on my life is nothing short of remarkable:

• My pain has drastically reduced. Back, shoulder, neck, and knee pain are no longer a daily battle, and I’ve been able to stop taking over-the-counter pain medications entirely.
• My balance and dizziness have improved—sometimes, I hardly notice how much better I am until I think about where I started. The Tai Chi techniques are now my go-to tools for managing stress and anxiety.
• My concentration and body awareness have grown. Targeting exercises on my non-dominant side is especially helping with my walking stability.
• My flexibility has increased tremendously.

Whole Health has shown me how mind, body, and spirit truly connect. If you’re a Veteran looking for a healthy, supportive activity with real benefits, I wholeheartedly encourage you to try Tai Chi—or explore any of the other exceptional Wellness programs VA offers. Reach out to your Wellness Coach and learn more. I only wish I’d taken this step sooner.