Supply Crate – Willie

Army Veteran Willie requested a Supply Crate because gaming has helped him cope with his PTSD and depression.

I am an Army Veteran of 17 years in the US Army. My tenure was cut short by 3 years from full retirement due to GI issues and mental health concerns that contributed to my GI issues. I have severe ulcerative colitis and it caused me to have 2 blood transfusions. I was severely depressed before my flair, which caused the UC to flare. I lost so much blood that I passed out in the bathroom in my apartment. The paramedics had to break down my door to get to me. I had passed out in the bathroom, and they had to clean me up. After arriving at the hospital, I had the two blood transfusions. After being released two weeks later, I was put on a medicine called Humira. It is like setting off a nuclear bomb on your immune system and it gets rid of it. We were getting ready to deploy and because of the medication, I couldn’t deploy, so the Army decided to medically retire me. I medically retired and came home. 1 year later, my (then) wife said she wanted a divorce. It threw me into a spiral mentally and I went down. I was diagnosed with PTSD and depression. I went to therapy, and it helped some. One of the major things that helped me was playing video games with my friends over PS Plus. We played Destiny and other multiplayer games. It helped to keep my mind focused on something good and not ruminate on the things I’ve seen and experienced. I decided to go back to school and become a Social Worker. I am now a Social Worker and I work for the VA Medical Center aiding Veterans who are experiencing homelessness come off the streets and get into permanent and stable housing. I still deal with my own mental health issues and video games are still a way to help me when I get triggered in the day. My desire is to serve and help Veterans and to give back the best way I know how until I breathe my last. Video games are a way for me to unwind, de-stress and refocus after a long and sometimes difficult day.

Getting medically retired is rough. Especially when it's for something completely unexpected that our servicemember has to live with after. While Willie's service was cut short, it sounds like he has decided to dedicate his life after to continuing to serve others and we can appreciate that. We hope, in turn, the new game console can serve him and his mental health.

Hello!!!! Sorry that it took so long to get this pic out to you. I apologize!! This is going to help me sooo much. I’ve been affected by my PTSD so much lately and not able to function. I’m praying that this will help me get out of bed and get back to normal life.

Game on, Willie.

H0stil1ty sponsored Willie's Supply Crate. H0stil1ty is a streamer and car guy who mainly plays games like New World, Escape from Tarkov, and Counter Strike 2. Check out his Twitch channel: Twitch.tv/h0stil1ty

Let's get fundraising and hit our goal of $250k raised. We're halfway there. We want to fill that meter by the end of June so we can keep our pace helping Veterans through the power of gaming. Learn how to help us reach our goal by hitting the button below