The closer Army Veteran Sherry Robinson got to the day she was supposed to leave the residential treatment program she voluntarily entered, the surer she was that she wasn’t ready to go yet.
Robinson arrived at the Coatesville VA Medical Center a month earlier to attend the Power of Women Embracing Recovery (POWER) Program. The program offers treatment to female Veterans with substance use disorders, mental health problems and homelessness. It is common for women to seek concurrent treatment for anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or military sexual trauma (MST).
During the first few days, Veterans like Robinson work with their treatment team to identify the goals they want to achieve before leaving the program and then select a flexible departure date.
Robinson came to treat the depression and dependence on alcohol that had intensified since her mother passed away four years ago, and now that she was here, she began working toward building a better version of herself.
A better version of me
“I wanted to be that person that I used to be. I’m never going to be that girl. I want a better version of me. I want Sherry 2.0. I still have a lot of healing to do,” she shared.
Robinson was feeling good about her progress, but she knew she wouldn’t be ready to leave by her original departure date. She talked with her team and moved her departure date out to give herself the extra time she felt she needed.
“I’m more knowledgeable, and I’m finally loving myself,” she said. “My main goal is to learn to love myself unconditionally because I love everybody else so unconditionally. I have to be able to look at myself and be like, I love you with all your flaws and all your mistakes—and all your achievements, too.”
Individual and group therapy sessions are only part of the programming. Residents can choose to attend recreational activities like music therapy, yoga, arts and crafts, and religious services. Robinson was surprised at how much she enjoyed the arts and crafts and yoga but was attracted to the religious offerings.
The greatest gift I can give myself
“I’ve always wanted to be baptized, but I didn’t feel like I was worthy. I was struggling with a lot of demons, and I’m still going to be struggling with demons. It’s just—I can manage it better. When I get baptized, I think it’s going to be the greatest gift that I can give to myself,” she said.
The baptism took place at the chapel on the Coatesville VA campus by a VA Chaplain. In attendance were members of her treatment team, along with her new friends and fellow Veterans.
“I’m excited for the person that I’m becoming and the love that I’m finally giving myself that I wasn’t, and the attention that I deserve to give myself that I wasn’t,” she added.
Already enrolled in courses for the next semester, Robinson plans to finish her bachelor’s degree and looks forward to being a social worker because she likes working in the community.
If you are a Veteran or know a Veteran who is ready to accept treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use, or MST, talk to your care provider about your treatment.
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Thank you for the insightful article on personal growth and the journey towards self-improvement. I particularly appreciated the emphasis on the importance of accountability in achieving our goals, as it often serves as the cornerstone of sustained progress. Building on this, I would like to highlight the concept of “growth mindset,” which goes beyond mere accountability. A growth mindset encourages individuals to see challenges as opportunities for learning and development rather than as obstacles. For instance, many successful entrepreneurs initially encountered failures but viewed them as stepping stones that refined their strategies and approaches. This perspective can be transformative, not only in personal endeavors but also in professional environments where collaboration and resilience are key. Moreover, it’s interesting to consider how the pursuit of self-improvement intertwines with legal mechanisms, such as a “writ of mandamus,” which compels authorities to fulfill their duty. In cases where individuals seek to enforce their rights or ensure that entities such as schools or governments adhere to certain standards, understanding the intersection between personal advocacy and legal action could equip us with additional tools for agency in our lives. How do you see the role of legal frameworks, like a writ of mandamus, in supporting individuals on their journey to self-improvement and accountability?
Wow…the motivation & self confidence is definitely inspiring considering all that my Sister has gone through as she just kept getting better& believe me it’s hard to believe in yourself when it feels as though you’re entire world is crumbling around you, Thank God she found her way.. Proud of you Sister Robinson ..Thanks VA for the Best Treatments in the World for all Veterans
Dear Veteran Sister Sherry Robinson!
God Bless you and keep going strong little sister in the Lord Jesus Christ! Pulling and praying for you an “Old Wavey Veteran”!
Sincerely,
RM3 Frances Burroughs
First off, Thank you for your service Sherry!
I just wanted to thank you for your story, I am doing this similar thing. I came to a program for an 8 week course, completed the course and was just introduced to what I was going through, no where near where I needed to be or fixed or ready to be back in my “normal”.
I was just discussing this today with the Chaplin, I don’t know anyone that has had the opportunity I have had to get right, it is truly a privilege and an honor that I take very seriously, so I also don’t want to walk away half-way done. I have been here long enough to see some of the same people get here, get help for a few weeks, can’t wait to leave, and then they are back in again, some of them it has been twice or more. I cannot do that, I had to do it or not do it, finish it, get as much as I can, get to the better me, find out who I was and who I can be. I am much better, this will be a lifelong thing I understand, it is easier when you know what you are dealing with and some tools to help you when it gets to you.
Thank you again for sharing your story, I appreciate you, I hope you are doing well!