Written by, Angela Caban

At the young age of 28, Cheryl Gansner has already been through more trials and tribulations that she could have ever imagined. Cheryl and her husband Bryan have been married for 4 years, and they have both lived the typical military lifestyle. Separations and two deployments over the course of 6 years, but in July 2006 life quickly changed for this couple. Bryan was severely injured by an improvised explosive device (IED). This not only left a great deal of rehabilitation for Bryan, but also a difficult transition for the couple. Bryan was sent for over 20 months of rehabilitation at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center for injuries such as shattered heels, shrapnel damage, nerve damage, muscle loss, reconstruction of his right knee, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Injuries will challenge everything we think we know about ourselves, and it will test you and your strength. And as couples, there are almost as many reactions to injuries as there are injured service members. Common reactions and feelings are shock, relief that your spouse is alive, sadness, depression, anxiety, fear, embarrassment and guilt. But like many situations the military lifestyle throws at us, we must remember to keep a positive outlook on the situation and not give up hope. To help yourself and your soldier cope you must have patience, faith and a support.

So how did Cheryl and Bryan cope with the stresses of injury and rehabilitation?

In the beginning our relationship suffered because I was caring for his every need. I felt like a mother and he felt like a child. I struggled along the way to find support and meet people who understood what I was going through. Then I found Operation Homefront’s Wounded Warrior Wives Program where I could go online and vent, talk, and get resources from other wives going through the same thing as I was. It was nice to have a place to go 24/7 and type out what was going on and to get great support from the other wives. Our relationship took a wonderful turn after my husband got hyperbaric treatment for his TBI, got a medication change, and started taking care of his own recovery. We are now in a place to help others.

 

Operation Homefront has created the Wounded Warrior Wives program to help wives meet any challenges that they may face. Offering emotional support to the wives of wounded servicemembers is important because it not only prepares the wives, but also see’s them through each step of the way assisting in the transition and rehabilitation of servicemembers.

Today Cheryl is not only a social worker, but also dedicates her time as the Wounded Warrior Wives Program Coordinator to recruit wives and give them the support they need. She also has a blog that she contributes to regularly on the Operation Homefront website named “Wife of a Wounded Soldier.” “Our life has been a complete roller coaster and I decided to share with others what it is like to care for a combat wounded soldier. We are now hoping to get our life on track and start our new chapter.”

 

For more on the Wounded Warrior Wives program please visit Operation Homefront.