An exhibit titled From War to Home: The Impact of Invisible Injuries explores the impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other injuries related to military service on Veterans and those closest to them.
Veteran Tyler Plaisance (photo above) contributed this photo of himself to the project.
The Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System opened the research exhibit in December on the first-floor concourse of the new Veterans medical center in New Orleans.
The opening included a panel discussion with Veterans and caregivers who collaborated on the exhibit.
As part of a VA-funded research collaboration, Veterans from the post-9/11 service era and their family caregivers were given cameras and asked to take photographs and describe the meaning behind each image.
Closer to the issues impacting our Veterans
“This project brings us even closer to the issues impacting our Veterans with TBI, as well as their families, through a visual representation that they themselves created,” said Medical Center Director Fernando O. Rivera. “It’s important for every American to understand the price of freedom.”
“Veterans and military caregivers will recognize their own experiences.”
The exhibit provides a window into the impact of military service on health and the stress of making the transition back to civilian life. The narratives also chronicle how Veterans and caregivers move forward and provide support and strength to each other.
One of the goals of the exhibition is to educate and inform those who view it about the experiences and needs of Veterans and families living with invisible injuries.
Ray Facundo, Sarah Ono (research team) and Gala True (project director) Photo by Ashley Corte
“This exhibition is intended to stimulate dialogue and build bridges between Veterans and their families and those who wish to welcome them home,” said project director Gala True.
“Veterans and military caregivers of all service eras will recognize their own experiences and perspectives in these photo-narratives, while members of the public will gain a deeper understanding of the personal and collective costs of war.”
Amanda Jones is the public affairs officer for the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System.
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