Bridging Battles: Uniting to Uplift Houston's Veterans in Distress

When Mary Beth from LifeSaver's Emergency Room joined us alongside Brandy, our certified advocate, the air was charged with a sincere commitment to addressing the mental health needs of Houston's veterans. We traversed the landscape of available support, from the Crime Victim Service Provider Program to the pivotal role of the Compact Act in crisis intervention. Our conversation laid bare the vital connection between accessible care and the wider community's role in fostering recovery—a poignant reminder that reaching out is not just okay, but essential.

The episode took an emotional turn as we untangled the complexities of mental health awareness, where bravery isn't just about service but also about facing one's psychological battles. We delved into the nuances of the 988 hotline, the life-saving 'press of 1', and the importance of sharing stories to dismantle the stigma that too often silences suffering. Brandy's personal narrative of growth from receiving aid to giving back encapsulated the journey many veterans undergo, highlighting the transformational power of compassion and solidarity.

Our discussion broadened to embrace first responders, revealing a tapestry of support including therapy, community events, and the shared thread of military service that weaves through generations. We celebrated the unifying force of community events, like the interdepartmental softball game, and anticipated the health fairs that promise to fortify these bonds. As we concluded, the focus was resolutely on hope and the celebration of recovery, urging anyone grappling with darkness to seek the glimmer of support waiting to guide them back to light.

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

This is Charlie Mike the podcast Veterans helping veterans. Talking about things happening in the veteran community, things we've experienced and overcome, such as addictions, ptsd, depression, legal trouble, and we also promote veteran-owned businesses. If you're talking about it, we're talking about it. This is Charlie Mike the podcast.

Speaker 2: 0:30

Yo, what's going on everybody? Welcome back to another episode of Charlie Mike the podcast. As always, your host, raul, and your co-host is William.

Speaker 3: 0:39

Yo, what's going on? Y'all, Welcome to the Parallel Podcast, where you'll locate just south of Houston, Texas. Glad to have you guys here.

Speaker 2: 0:44

Man. Yep, it's a rainy Friday it is for us here.

Speaker 3: 0:48

I don't know when this will come out when you guys are listening, but it is rainy Friday, new year, new weather, new weather. You know, last year they said it didn't freeze at all here in Texas. Didn't we have that freeze last year no, it was before that. I'm still traumatized. They said the entire year it didn't get below freezing.

Speaker 2: 1:06

Well, they have some Arctic Blast supposedly coming at the end of January. They're going to make up for it, it's.

Speaker 3: 1:10

Texas. They're going to make up for it in one week. I don't like it. I don't like the cold either.

Speaker 2: 1:16

I don't mind it as long as electricity stays on, but that's when it gets rough. So what's going on, man, let's talk a little bit about. Actually, let's introduce our guest.

Speaker 3: 1:27

Oh, okay.

Speaker 2: 1:29

Oh, you got something. No, I got nothing, brother. Yeah, let's introduce our guests and get them talking.

Speaker 3: 1:34

Yeah let's do it. So our very first guest. If you may remember from the episode we did with the badges Battle of the Badges, that was a lot of fun to have some folks come on from HFD, hpd, and then we came by way of Ms Brandy, so she's here to join us again, talk about some of the resources she has available, and she brought a guest along. I want to introduce your guest.

Speaker 4: 1:57

I did. This is Mary Beth, and she is our behavioral intake coordinator at LifeSaver's Emergency Room.

Speaker 5: 2:05

Hi, thank you so much for having me today. As Brandy said, my name is Mary Beth and we work at LifeSaver's Emergency Room and we are so passionate about having accessible care to all of our patients, and so we're excited to be here today and talk about how we can help you and what resources are available, and we'll dive more into it.

Speaker 3: 2:26

Awesome. Yeah, and that's exactly what this episode is about is being able to share those resources, especially here locally. I'm sure there's a lot available nationwide, but we are Houston based.

Speaker 2: 2:39

Yeah, definitely, definitely, so tell us a little bit about yourself.

Speaker 5: 2:43

All right, so my background is in public health. I graduated back in 2013 from East Carolina University with my degree in public health and went into all types of modalities of care following that, including just general health, weight loss and wellness. But the root of most problems is our mental wellness, and so that's where my passion grew and what I've dedicated the past few years to growing and assisting, and so, with LifeSaver's Emergency Room, the opportunity arose to expand our behavioral health program and make sure that, when we see patients in crisis, that we help them have a smooth transition to continuing care. We want to make sure that anyone who comes into our door feels like they're heard, they're seen and that this is the first step to whatever road that they're on, and we're here for them.

Speaker 3: 3:40

Amazing. So tell us again, Brandy, what is your role with LifeSaver's?

Speaker 4: 3:43

So I kind of wear a few different hats. I coordinate our events and then I also am our generic Heights location marketer and most recently I become our coordinator for our Crime Victim Service Provider Program. And so what that is if anybody's a victim of a crime, you can receive healthcare at no cost to you through our emergency room. So what we do is build a state. They have the Crime Victims Fund and we get paid that way.

Speaker 4: 4:18

So if somebody comes in with their family violence or victim of a hit and run, you know, somebody just walks by and decides to slap you for no reason, you can come in and you're not paying anything out of pocket, and so it's been a great resource. The only thing is you have to have a police report. So it helps bridge that gap too. It helps victims come forward and gives others who are struggling in the same boat maybe it's ongoing family violence, and with that also I'm a certified advocate. So I'm with them whether it's called to the scene or meet them at the emergency room, and I'm there with them the entire time. If they need transportation, we provide that as well.

Speaker 3: 5:07

Amazing. Yeah, man, it's a cool service.

Speaker 2: 5:09

Yeah, I didn't know about it. I'll be honest with you.

Speaker 3: 5:12

The height's the only location.

Speaker 4: 5:13

For this program. Yes, okay, but if somebody's closer to our Willowbrook or Summerwood location, we can actually transport them to heights.

Speaker 3: 5:21

All right, all right. And then is this you work the same location.

Speaker 5: 5:25

So I work in all three locations. Okay, so behavioral health we address it everywhere. You know, before I started with LifeSaver Summerhood Emergency Room, we saw a lot of patients who had behavioral health issues that were unaddressed and they didn't have those resources and collaborations in the surrounding Houston area to connect them with. And so that's where I've really been putting a lot of my efforts into is when we see a problem, we're now able to connect them with continuing care. And we have so many amazing resources in our Houston area that a lot of people don't know about, and one of those, for instance, is the Compact Act, which is directly related to veterans. So we are currently looking into it.

Speaker 5: 6:09

But there are facilities that can help veterans, whether they're registered with a VA or not, to get care with any type of suicidal ideation, whether it's thoughts, it's premeditation, writing out, you know, a plan, any of those things.

Speaker 5: 6:26

If anyone has experienced those circumstances, there's care available that they can get for free. And these locations they do not have to be a VA location. They can be an emergency room, they can be a psychiatrist's office and if they're, as long as they're registered with the VA, we're able to. As long as they're registered with this Compact Act, they do not have to be registered with the VA in order to get this free care. So it's a huge elimination of worrying about costs. It's a huge elimination of worrying about what type of benefits do I have to have? You don't have to have any because it's a federal act. It's across the country, but here in Houston all you have to do is, you know, a quick Google search or talk to somebody and they can help connect you with one of these places and if you've ever had these thoughts or inner struggles, they can get you the rights on the right steps.

Speaker 3: 7:22

Yeah, that's powerful stuff, man.

Speaker 2: 7:24

It is, it is, it definitely is. You know, being a veteran and experiencing that side of mental health, as you know, it's reassuring to hear about these programs that are out there for veterans that you know a lot of people don't know about, and it's that was new to me.

Speaker 5: 7:43

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 7:44

You know, and I've struggled, and William has struggled himself with different you know, obstacles in life and it's well, that's amazing.

Speaker 3: 7:54

Yeah, you know, and it's interesting because one of the things that Vets always complain about is like hey, I'm not registered with the VA, or you know, that's, that's for somebody else. I mean, I still hear that with my dad, you know, recently we were talking about that. Just, you know, somebody else needs to benefits more than me, so they never registered. Won you kind of get this assumption that if I'm not registered with the VA then I don't get some of that help? Obviously you're here denying that.

Speaker 5: 8:20

No, we can get you the help that you need 100%, and you know this act was approved in January of 2023. And prior to working with lifesavers, I myself had not even heard of it, and so it's something that I don't know why there isn't more mention of it, but I'm here today to bring it to your awareness and make sure that everyone knows like you don't have to be registered with a VA as long as you are honorably discharged. You served 100 days. You can get help.

Speaker 2: 8:52

That's a big. I'm definitely looking into it and getting more information. Yeah, so how is how did you become involved with all of that? Let's talk about what led you to the mental health aspect. Is it something that personal experiences, or was it?

Speaker 5: 9:12

So, yes, two years ago, you know, I learned that life can hand you anything. You don't have to plan it, you don't have to, you know, think that I'm in a situation that can turn into something else. It can literally change in the snap of a finger. And so mine was a domestic situation where my fire flight was initiated and I had to, you know, go into survival mode and following that, for the first time ever, I saw therapy. I knew like I needed help and so I went through therapy and, with my background in public health and wellness overall, I was like what am I doing? You know, I was like I have the knowledge, I have the experience and I want to make sure other people know that they can get help too.

Speaker 5: 10:02

We are all humans. We're not supposed to be perfect, we're not supposed to be okay all the time. And when we go through these life circumstances that throw us for a loop or are unplanned, and we go into these survival mode instincts, it changes the way we think, it changes the way we operate and we need help to go back to the way we want to operate normally, because it floods your brain with so many different hormones and it affects the way your synapses is fired, like there's a whole systemic reaction that occurs, and so I want to bring awareness to the fact that it's okay not to be okay and I know I mentioned that to you earlier, but it really is and I listen to songs that say that because every day we don't have to be perfect. Every day we're human beings and we're presented with life choices, and we live in a world where there's so many things outside of our choice that all we can do is use the tools at our disposal, and so we want to help and we're here to help.

Speaker 3: 11:07

Have you seen veterans taking advantage of this lately? I mean, I know you said this is a new act right January's, but have you guys been able to see any of the so, In place.

Speaker 5: 11:17

That's one of the reasons why it's so important that I want to bring that up today is because I don't see a lot of veterans using it, and I don't think it's because they don't want to use it. I think it's because they don't know it's there. You know, like both of you, today you are in a space where you talk about a whole wide range of care and like life events that veterans go through, and either one of you had heard of it before, and so I'm really excited today to like bring awareness to the fact that it exists and also how it can work with other veteran acts and resources that are available so that people can get help. Whether it's suicidal ideation, whether it's substance use disorders, you know we don't plan for these things to happen because we're human, but they do happen and we're going to get you help.

Speaker 3: 12:12

So tell me some more about what else it covers. You said I mean you said so. How does someone take advantage of this act? Then you know? Suicidal ideation, or Right.

Speaker 5: 12:21

So with the Compact Act specifically, it's to help those with mental health crises. So anyone with, like, a suicidal ideation, that has to be present in order for it to fall in line with the Compact Act. And when you think of suicidal ideation, it can be thoughts of harming yourself and disclaimer. You know I don't want anyone to feel triggered by this conversation, but you know it can be like the thought of writing a letter to loved ones. It can be planning out something going to the store and buying like tools that you want to, that you think will be a means to an end, and so with that, you know, if you recognize that you've had these thoughts, you might need to allow yourself to be vulnerable and talk to somebody and so anything that goes along with those thoughts. You know, if it's come to light that, if it's come to light that you have a general anxiety disorder, ptsd, these things can be treated alongside with it.

Speaker 5: 13:26

Because you know the suicidal ideation is almost a result of things that are going untreated and things that we may ignore, things that we think make us weak. And we're not weak, like I said, like there's so many things that occur within your brain that you can't control. You can't control if you break your arm. Most of the time you know If you do something crazy like jumping off a roof, that's likely going to happen. But if you know you see some stuff that human beings shouldn't see and you go into your fight or fight response or you're triggered, it's okay to need help to make those triggers lessen and to smooth out the way your brain needs to operate and you feel like you always have to be ready to fight, ready to run, or you know what is in the moment's notice.

Speaker 3: 14:20

I feel like I have veterans in the nutshell right there. Huh yeah, I'm always ready to fight.

Speaker 2: 14:24

What's the and I feel like you know, within the last few years it's mental health has been a you know, a topic discussion and it's becoming more okay. I wouldn't say you know, I want to say more okay because more people are talking about it, you know, and it's important that it's become. I want to know I'm not going to say that it's.

Speaker 4: 14:47

It's not a taboo subject anymore.

Speaker 2: 14:49

Yeah, there you go, that's it, that's 100%.

Speaker 3: 14:52

And you know you mentioned, too, that, being able to be vulnerable and we talked about it on the show too that vulnerability is a strength and I want to thank you for bringing that up because I can see, you know, when we start bringing up these memories. You know, especially with I don't know your whole story of what happened, but you can feel the same emotions come back right and same thing with you, brandi, the last time you were on. You know being able to share your situation, but it's through the stories and the vulnerabilities that allows us to get stronger, and you really have been sized that. I don't want to say thank you for that, because it's folks like you all that make this show possible. Right, we don't know everything.

Speaker 3: 15:32

We've tried to bring on a lot of veterans to come on and share their stories and still here today we're talking to two ladies who didn't serve but have a passion for those who did and have information and you're not willing just to be like I'm not just going to say these other veterans need to know about this, and I think that's a great resource for veterans to realize that there's a lot of areas that we can go and get help. This is one of them, you know, and if the thoughts of the suicide ideation are with you right now, don't forget to call 988 and press 1,. If you're a veteran We've talked about a lot, especially through the holiday season that's an important number. But if you think that there's a way that you don't qualify like, there's ways that folks like you all will help get us the help that we need 100%.

Speaker 5: 16:23

And to add to that, if you ever do feel a sense of suicidal ideation and you want to speak to somebody but you want to speak to someone in person you can go to your local emergency. They will help you. They're not there to judge you. They are there to aid you in any crisis. You don't have to be bleeding, you don't have to have a broken arm, you don't have to have the bilitating symptoms. You know An emergency ranges in so many ways, and so don't discount what you're feeling, don't discredit what you've been through. Embrace it and grow from it, because you are one strong individual.

Speaker 2: 17:03

Now is the Excuse me if I'm wrong the Compact.

Speaker 5: 17:08

Act, the Compact Act.

Speaker 2: 17:09

Is it for veterans specifically, or it is?

Speaker 5: 17:12

So anybody who has been honorably discharged served 100 days. It is for you. You do not have to be a registered vet, you just have to have served for 100 days and then honorably discharged.

Speaker 2: 17:25

Do you know if there's any programs available for Out there? I'm just curious for first responders of any type that's similar to that.

Speaker 4: 17:34

So at our emergency room we do have our first responders program which allows us to treat first responders and anyone listed on their health insurance at no out-of-pocket cost to them.

Speaker 2: 17:48

That's awesome.

Speaker 4: 17:49

We just build their insurance. Yeah, that's good and then, of course, if they need anything further referrals or anything along those lines we can actually put them into Mary Beth's care and she can point them in the right direction of additional program resources and help. There's a lot of overlap between our programs. One of our favorite stories to tell is we were honed out.

Speaker 2: 18:20

Wait, what Like?

Speaker 3: 18:22

are you ready?

Speaker 4: 18:24

Yeah, yeah, say that one more time. We were Ho-Nah. We went to go visit Constable Rosen and I don't know if you guys are familiar with Kathy Kathy Griffin, I believe that's her name or Kathy Griffith but she is married to longtime anchor Jose Grinian and she now works for Constable Rosen and she has this program and she calls it the Ho-Program. It is Helping Others Excel. Okay.

Speaker 2: 19:00

I was very, I was tiptoeing around.

Speaker 5: 19:03

I didn't know what you were doing. I think they were really worried about what guests they brought today for a second.

Speaker 3: 19:09

I think every listener is like tell me more about this Ho-Program.

Speaker 4: 19:13

So it's a group of these very strong, phenomenal women who have dealt with family violence, sex trafficking, different assaults, and so they all come together. It's a support group. They're to help one another, and whenever we asked what the name of the support group was, she said well, you're at a home meeting and we're looking at each other like, I'm sorry, a what?

Speaker 2: 19:39

So our response was normal A reaction.

Speaker 4: 19:43

She tells us she's like well, we're all Hoes and we're like good we get into Meet them.

Speaker 3: 19:51

One of us.

Speaker 4: 19:51

Yeah, and so it's. You go from a ho to hoes and it's helping others excel successfully and she's done phenomenal work and she's just she's an amazing person. And it was funny. We actually had a meeting yesterday and we were telling them about this whole class and she was like what I said well, you see, kathy runs it, she goes. Oh, all he has to say was Kathy say no more.

Speaker 1: 20:16

We understand.

Speaker 3: 20:19

That's awesome. So what's the story behind being Ho-Napped?

Speaker 5: 20:24

Well, we went there just to, you know, check in, make sure they're doing good, share some materials with them. She's like I have a class that we need you guys to come speak to. We're like okay, and on our way down she goes. By the way, you're officially Hoes. We're like where are we going? And so it's in the courthouse. So you know we're professional Hoes and Classy.

Speaker 5: 20:52

That was a resume, and we went to this class and we heard some very vulnerable stories women, men, that have been through some unimaginable circumstances. But they're in this space where they're lifting each other up and they're acknowledging what they went through, but again telling them okay, you've done this, but here are these tools and now you need to do this. And so it's not just diminishing what they've gone through, but it's telling them use this as a step. You know, this isn't your defining moment. You are here today. You obviously see that things need to change, Things need to happen, and we're going to tell you how to do it and we're going to help you along the way. So it's an amazing support group and it provides encouragement, hope and just a place to talk and be vulnerable and, you know, feel like you have that sense of belonging somewhere.

Speaker 4: 21:58

Yeah. So we call each other at the beginning of the week and we're like, hey, are we going to?

Speaker 3: 22:01

be Hoes this week.

Speaker 1: 22:06

Yes.

Speaker 2: 22:09

We do the same thing.

Speaker 1: 22:14

I'm glad you guys are helping others excel.

Speaker 2: 22:17

Yeah, the same acronym for us. Yeah, exactly, I love it.

Speaker 3: 22:25

I'm curious, could you tell me more? Pull the curtain back, a little bit like if a veteran were to reach out for help or come to you all with crisis. What does that look like?

Speaker 5: 22:34

Great question. So let's say a veteran comes to our doors and let's I'm going to use a substance use disorder as an example Okay, they're experiencing withdrawal symptoms, but they don't know that they're experiencing withdrawal symptoms. They're coming in because they're extremely nauseated and you know, they explain like I'm a vet, I'm here, but we're going to acknowledge that. But we're still going to look at them like the person they are. You know, and any time, anytime someone comes in to one of our emergency rooms, we have an registration process. They go through, they fill out their paperwork. We have like a clear history, we have identified what benefits they have and you know, we're clear with what your estimated cost will be while on site.

Speaker 5: 23:22

So let's say, someone gets back to the room and we ask them okay, what makes you? What's made you feel better? Like, how long have you been nauseous? What's made you feel better? Oh, I usually drink at night, and that usually helps it. And it's kind of like a click, like, okay, how often do you drink? And oh, I drink like two or three at night. Okay, what else do you do?

Speaker 5: 23:44

And then the story unfolds. And so that's when you know our medical. We have board certified physicians who are going to address that and be like listen, let's look at. You know some of these resources. This isn't going to be easy to hear, but I have someone that you can talk to you and we can connect you with someone that can help you with these resources. And so through that process, you know, we might connect them with a VA run program for alcohol addiction or, if they want something that's independent, we can do that as well, but it we really want the person to feel like they have a choice, to feel like they get to be heard and help them understand these next steps, because that can be scary and when you don't realize you have a problem and all of a sudden someone's telling you you can be immediately you're in denial.

Speaker 2: 24:35

Defensible yes.

Speaker 5: 24:36

Yes, and so that's totally normal. But if we bring that to your awareness and you think about it and you want to come back, you can call me, you can call us. We are there for you. And if you go through, you know, during that denial phase, you might slip back a little bit, start experiencing some heavier symptoms and need help again, and then the crisis emerges. But now you're aware, and so it's okay to take a minute and digest that information. But if you feel like that doesn't apply to you, we can still connect you with resources. I'm still going to give you information that you might think about and then reach out to a later date. I don't have to, but I'm going to make sure that you have the materials you need.

Speaker 3: 25:22

And for me, it's just, there's a lot of people that care, right, and we've heard that so many times before. But thank you for allowing us, like, a peek behind the curtain. You know, like, okay, what's this? What's going to happen when? If you do call, these are some of the reasons why you should call, and I think that's a kind of want to call. Just, you know, I feel like I want folks to know that there's a safe way out there. You know, I think there's other than the VA. People get stuck on the VA, like, okay, well, you don't have to go through the VA, there's definitely other programs out there, and we're talking to one of them.

Speaker 2: 26:01

That's a lot of veterans especially. They got like a bad taste about the VA and and that stops them from seeking help or from from asking for help, because they feel like that the VA is not there to assist you know, and

Speaker 2: 26:15

well, like I say myself, and I think William is in the same boat I don't let me speak for you, but I felt like that RV a hearing. Houston is one of the best and I've honestly never had, you know, a horrible or a bad moment there, but in I've heard some stories you know, that, that, yeah, that's like oh yeah, you know, and there's stories everywhere and it doesn't take a lot to put a bad taste in someone's mouth.

Speaker 5: 26:46

But I just want to remind everybody that don't let someone else's story define yours and to try different things. If one thing doesn't work, don't let that stop you. Don't use that as an excuse. You know it's hard to find the courage to do. Take one step at a time. But if one step doesn't work, just keep walking. Just keep going. You'll find your answer. There are so many different modalities of therapy. There's so many different modalities of behavioral health assistance, you know, and if you don't like one, don't think that's going to ruin the rest of them. If you don't like one provider, don't let that ruin the rest of them, because there are so many health professionals out there and sometimes it might take a minute. I know, when I first sought therapy, my first therapist and I did not click and it was nothing against him, it's just we did not speak the same language, you know, and he'd be like, how did that make you feel? And I was like they can ask me that one more time.

Speaker 1: 27:43

Yeah.

Speaker 5: 27:45

You know, like I do not want to answer that question one more time and I took a step back. I was like I'm just going to go and talk to someone else and see what else is out there, and best decision I ever made. You know, I did my research. I found someone that had like a similar background to me to where, you know, I personally am Christian, and so I looked for resources that were tied to that and I felt like it spoke more of my language and more to what I was growing up, raising to believe in my life experiences, and so there's different avenues for each aspect.

Speaker 5: 28:21

And so, speaking of, like, different therapies, you have talk therapy, you have assisted, like integration type therapy, to where, if you're taking medication and you want to talk to somebody During that medication, they can help you process things when your brain's more able to process it. And so, you know, just kind of explore, use that Google search button and, you know, find what you feel would be most in line to what your needs are. Because this is this can be a catered experience. It's not a cookie cutter Like everybody's got to have the same thing. It can be like your personal individual plan and that's out there 100%.

Speaker 2: 29:03

Like you say your experiences with therapists and things of that nature. I remember my first one. I didn't enjoy it at all. He kept telling me that I seemed angry, and that was the question. That's what. That's his statement. That he said probably like 40 times in our conversation, to the point when I, when I walked in there, I wasn't angry, but when I left, I was right.

Speaker 5: 29:25

Don't put me in a box.

Speaker 2: 29:27

Yes, let me catch you outside. You seem angry.

Speaker 3: 29:33

Table flip.

Speaker 1: 29:36

I love my therapist.

Speaker 4: 29:37

In fact, I'm the reason my therapist needs therapy.

Speaker 1: 29:40

She's great.

Speaker 4: 29:41

I mean any kind of minor inconvenience, and she's like yes, how can I help you today? You can just hear it in her voice like and why did I take her as a patient? She's great, I love her.

Speaker 5: 29:56

And also, too, like when you have a therapist for a certain amount of time, it's okay to like, feel you might have outgrown that therapist and start talking to a new one, because they're all specialized.

Speaker 3: 30:10

I'm not saying that about your therapist brandy I would never come between that relationship.

Speaker 5: 30:14

But you know like some might specialize in some things and some might specialize in others, and so it's okay. You know we're all medical professionals and our end goal should be you getting better to seeing you less frequently to. You know we don't. If you feel like someone just wants you more and more, and more and more and more, recognize red flags. That's all I'm going to say.

Speaker 2: 30:37

Yeah, I like it. I like the part where you said that it's okay to outgrow it and I feel like that that I've experienced that a lot recently, especially like, okay, I go to NA and then my NA groups. I started to try to go back and I had taken a break and I feel like, okay, Nothing against the people that go there, Nothing against the you know the organization or whatever the case may be, but but it's just like this isn't, this isn't me anymore.

Speaker 4: 31:09

I feel like that's the end goal, though, right.

Speaker 2: 31:12

Yeah, I agree, and I feel like, okay, I see a lot of the same people here stuck in the same situation and I said I feel like I'm not better. Right, but I'm better.

Speaker 5: 31:23

I'll get him but yeah, yeah, yeah Well sometimes we can find a comfort in those places that and it's hard to uncomfortable, you know like growing and changing, or accepting change, or accepting like new things. It's uncomfortable and so putting us in those places of uncomfortability and vulnerability helps us continue to grow. So I commend you for, you know, recognizing that, because again it could be like, oh, I'm supposed to be here, but you might not. You might be at a place now where you need the next step, the next level Right, and not just that too.

Speaker 4: 31:57

But you know, going back every once in a while and just seeing everybody else and then realizing how far you've come and being, you know, thankful and grateful that you overcame so much. You know it's kind of like man, I was once in their position and I fought and I got past that. So sometimes it's it's nice to kind of take a peek back and just to remind yourself how far you come.

Speaker 5: 32:26

I would also like to add to that. So a lot of veterans they respond I'm not speaking for everybody but, like in my experience, it's when they have someone they relate to and they see similar experiences with. They've been through similar circumstances. You know, you've been through basic training, you've had your sense of self-strip, like you've seen stuff.

Speaker 5: 32:47

You've been taught to think certain ways like and then coming back into this world that we live in that's so uncertain, that has so much political like angst and there's a lot that is out of control. To see where you are, to see where you're living, to see how your life gives them hope and you know, if you've been through something and you know someone that may be on a path to destruction, just try to be in their life. You don't have to give them that advice, you don't have to like tell them what to do, but show up because they're going to see that and that's going to help them more than anything. Because I've spoken to a lot of veterans who've been through things I can't even imagine and they say like their biggest motivator was seeing someone else succeed, seeing someone else get through it, knowing that they can. So I commend.

Speaker 3: 33:47

Man, that's pretty cool. Yeah, it's awesome to hear, because I feel it means a lot, that you're not a veteran saying the same things and I don't want to shed light like we're better than you in any any way. We know we really appreciate you guys time being here, but I want to. I think it's important to hear the perspective of somebody else right, an outside perspective, a professional perspective, where it's like this is my Experience with other veterans and we say it all the time and you know we can be in this like echo chamber, where's all the veterans are saying the same thing, but we're not that we're right, but like listen, this is somebody else that has the experience of dealing with us on the other side and it's willing to share more, like listen, there's a lot that we can do. Sharing that story, sharing the hope man. That like really hits home for us. Thank you for sharing that it really does.

Speaker 2: 34:37

It kind of hit me in the feelings Well we appreciate you.

Speaker 5: 34:42

You know I have family members who have served and I might not have served myself, but the amount of respect and and just gratefulness I have for each and every one of you is like it's. It's there, and you know we see a narrative that's controlled so much these days and it's hard to know what people are really feeling or what they really See. So Again, just let's not put ourselves in a box, let's just try to help each other.

Speaker 3: 35:11

Go be some hose. Help others excel successfully bro. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I hear holding around man Lee.

Speaker 2: 35:22

I'm gonna stay away from.

Speaker 5: 35:25

He's gonna be the leader.

Speaker 2: 35:34

And don't don't be offended by this in the podcast, with thank you, hose, for coming, just that one part, that's the only part that people clip.

Speaker 3: 35:50

The context oh man, no, that's what I'm all to keep tells a little bit more about. You said you had family to serve. You know, pay homage to them, so yeah.

Speaker 5: 36:00

So both my grandfathers were in the army. My mom's dad was in the Korean War, he was a tank driver, and my father's dad he was stationed in Germany for two years so he didn't see anymore. But you know both grandfathers totally different timelines and age groups, but I I hear all the stories that I have uncles who were airmen and you know flu planes and have cousins who were in the Marines. Like I feel like all branches they're all so different but they're all so important.

Speaker 5: 36:42

Some better than other, no, but you know I definitely have a passion for making sure that everyone feels hurt and seen that's awesome.

Speaker 3: 36:50

I really, really, really appreciate it. It's so cool to hear again because we could be in our boxes. You know, we can be around veterans and like think One certain way and it's like no, like the amount of influence that we have that they've had like we. We love to hear the older generation getting their love to oh yeah, 100% 100% my Grandpa was Merchant Marine. Oh, yeah, yeah. Yeah, we had one of those here for the Fourth of July event we did head, 103 years old, a sharpest attack he was.

Speaker 2: 37:27

He was awesome they. So they came here for the fourth of July we didn't have been and then from here they went straight to minute made and they got honored at the Astros game. So it was, it was for it was for we had for war war two, you know and then one of the guys was actually in Korea war, korean war. He was in Vietnam, yeah, and he was in Just what war to?

Speaker 5: 37:51

yeah he's just just um Wow.

Speaker 2: 37:55

Yeah, we just like yeah.

Speaker 1: 37:59

Than me.

Speaker 2: 38:00

Oh yeah, I can know I still wouldn't fight him.

Speaker 4: 38:07

I know a great emergency room you.

Speaker 5: 38:12

Freak a fire miles just make sure you bring that police report.

Speaker 3: 38:17

I wouldn't admit it.

Speaker 2: 38:24

What, what have you been up to tell us a little business the last time we seen you?

Speaker 4: 38:27

man. So what have I been up to? I feel like there's just been so much going on. My oldest daughter turned 16 next week, and so I've been, you know, crying into my pillow every night. 16, yeah, 16. She's like, she's so mean, she's like five foot tall and she's just, she's an angry little person.

Speaker 3: 38:47

Were you that way, not anymore.

Speaker 2: 38:50

I plead the fifth, you know straight is like an angry person.

Speaker 4: 38:54

Oh. So it's kind of funny because you know we're talking about family and the Marie or family in the branches, and so I Was actually going to enlist into the Marines, and I'm not sure if I talked about this last time I was on here. But yeah, life had other plans. I was at meps and that's how I realized that. You know, 16 years ago I was going to have oh, oh, yeah, it was oh. Yeah my great. I'm trying to, you know, do something great with my life and Pregnant yeah.

Speaker 2: 39:32

Oh man.

Speaker 4: 39:33

That's so. I was this close, this close, no, but um, she's great. She uh, you know she's plays varsity for her school softball and then she always keeps us busy with softball my youngest, she's my volleyball player. But we've just really been working hard on all these community events that we're doing.

Speaker 3: 39:55

Tell us about the 9-11 event. How did that turn out?

Speaker 4: 39:58

Oh, it was amazing. Hpd lost. The final score was 8 to 3. Hfd came and they dominated.

Speaker 2: 40:08

It was was it the more practice I.

Speaker 4: 40:11

Don't know what it was you know. Hpd, though they had already played almost half a season of baseball, so Technically they had been getting the more practice and you know, hfd just put together some guys at the last minute, and I mean they.

Speaker 3: 40:32

How was the event? Is there more planned?

Speaker 4: 40:35

Oh yeah, we're actually. I'm gonna make it A annual very cool. Yes, we're excited. Our goal is to when they have it at minnow maid, yeah that. And then they also went to Dallas. A couple months ago, hpd went to Dallas to play their fire department. They had a double header, and so they each won one. Oh I believe sometimes during the summer they're actually gonna go play Chicago PD.

Speaker 2: 41:02

Oh, wow.

Speaker 4: 41:02

Yeah, so it's, it's happening, all the things are happening.

Speaker 2: 41:06

I'm so excited for these guys are great.

Speaker 4: 41:09

They're like my. My brother is now. I'll go visit stations and they're like hey, brandy, I'm like it's pretty cool.

Speaker 1: 41:19

That's awesome.

Speaker 2: 41:20

That's amazing to hear. Um, you know, when it comes to events and things like that, let us know so we can share information in any way we can assist?

Speaker 4: 41:27

Absolutely. We're actually, you know I can just be good at. We're actually going to be having a couple health fairs this month, okay, cool. We're gonna be having them at our Willowbrook and Heights location. The one at Willowbrook is going to be January 13th and the one over at Heights is going to be on the 20th.

Speaker 2: 41:44

The 20th, the 20th of January, yeah, okay, okay, I think this one should be out around that time, but yeah, around the 20th.

Speaker 3: 41:53

So yeah, you might get lucky. Yeah, I love getting lucky yeah.

Speaker 5: 42:05

We're sliding back to the whole talk.

Speaker 1: 42:09

We didn't bring it up.

Speaker 4: 42:13

You were thinking it, but you said Both are brains, you can see?

Speaker 5: 42:19

Yeah, the same brains.

Speaker 3: 42:21

Same brains.

Speaker 4: 42:21

So and then also want to point out to you that our ERC is a lot of Motor at motor vehicle accidents, so we work with a lot of personal injury attorney and there's a lot of personal injury attorneys out there that are veterans.

Speaker 4: 42:37

Yeah and I've been able to grow closer to some of them and talk with them, and so we've created this partnership like it's. It is crazy how everything kind of intertwined, because we come out, we have Medics, first aid ambulance that come to events to do standby just in case anybody gets injured, and so we were at a marathon hosted by the Houston bar Association. Well, one of their sponsors was Johnny Havens law firm. He's an army veteran and so then I connected with him and he's like let's see how we can work together, and so it's just really, really great. Whenever, especially when you meet people you know that are inspiration For other programs that you're doing, right and it just it builds that relationship.

Speaker 4: 43:30

So I just wanted to, you know, share the love to all my veteran personal injury attorney contact.

Speaker 3: 43:37

There is one here in Perelin.

Speaker 4: 43:38

Yes, there is. I saw his billboard on the way here.

Speaker 3: 43:41

I was like marine. No, that's great. I mean glad to hear that that the 9-11 events gonna be a yearly event pretty cool. Oh yeah, hopefully we can find ways to continue to stay, stay active with that.

Speaker 4: 43:59

So they actually play out here in parents. The Season should be kicking off at the end of February, and so the law dogs play. They'll be playing every Sunday out here in Perelin playing here.

Speaker 2: 44:12

Well, I know here, but you know, I wonder where somewhere in.

Speaker 3: 44:21

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 44:21

I don't, there's a. There's a couple streets down that way I don't go past just because it's so much traffic.

Speaker 5: 44:26

I should say you have a driver.

Speaker 3: 44:30

No, I'm kidding, Jelly is not here, right?

Speaker 1: 44:33

now Bitterman yeah.

Speaker 2: 44:37

Gally, that's great.

Speaker 3: 44:39

You ladies have any last party shots before we wrap up? Any Anything on your heart that you want to let veterans know that listening to this, I would just like to kind of recap all the words I've been speaking.

Speaker 5: 44:50

Just, you know, have a sappy, emotional, motivational speech here real quick, my favorite. But you know, I just want to remind everybody that, veteran or not, lifesavers emergency room and hopefully all other emergency rooms, wherever you're closest, if you ever do have any thoughts or ideations, someone's there to help you. And, like I said before, it's okay not to be okay. You don't have to be strong all the time and we really appreciate you. And so just remember that if you've overcome some something and you see someone else going through something as well, just be there for them. You don't have to coach them, you don't have to give them speeches. You know, just show up. And if you ever do think that that help is not out there, that's not true we're here today to tell you that's not true. And you know we want you to succeed, we want you to live a full and beautiful life, because no matter what life moments throw at you, it's there and you just have to walk through the darkness for a second to see the light, but we're there for you.

Speaker 4: 46:03

We want you to excel successfully.

Speaker 3: 46:09

I mean to really capitalize. I feel like someone should put that on a shirt it's okay to not be okay.

Speaker 2: 46:15

Oh yeah, hey, you can find it at Charlie. Mike. Military Paro.

Speaker 4: 46:20

It was late on the back of that thing, oh man it was.

Speaker 3: 46:24

I'm just going to have to go online real quick, you know you've hit on some some phenomenal points, you know, and and and for vets out there, like showing up. You know showing up means so much. Sharing this podcast means a lot to us too, and that's what we're here to do is make sure to show up and be there for you, and it's not always the things that you say, it's just being there, being present. You know it means that much to someone else. Grannie, can you tell us how do we get in touch with Life Saver?

Speaker 4: 46:47

Yeah, of course. So you can call us directly. We share our personal cell phone numbers with all of Harris County, so you can call me at 409-996-7284. Or you can also reach out to our marketing email, that's marketing at lifesaversercom. And we monitor that email 24 seven. And if we don't get back to you soon, then by all means I don't care what time of night it is. I have people call two, three o'clock in the morning, so you're not going to be the first. And then, mary Beth, I'm sorry, I don't know your number off the top of my head. It's on my phone. No, does anybody know anybody's phone?

Speaker 2: 47:32

number I don't even know my own.

Speaker 5: 47:35

Oh man.

Speaker 2: 47:36

Yeah.

Speaker 5: 47:36

Okay, my phone number is 713-805-7242. And feel free to reach out if you're someone that's in crisis, if you are someone that wants assistance on how to navigate someone else Experiencing a crisis, or if you're someone that can provide assistance to others and you want to collaborate, give us a call. Reach out. That was my next question.

Speaker 3: 47:57

That was the next question. You know, because I'm sure you know, somebody has not heard of compact act yet. You know and not that I expect you to be the subject matter expert, but I do know like, if I ever had questions, probably be the one of the first people I call.

Speaker 5: 48:13

Oh yeah, I can tell you where to go, I can tell you, you know what kind of care you might want to expect and I can tell you what's going to be needed, you know like whenever you always have your ID and insurance card with you. You know, and just be ready to listen and you don't have to do much else, Right?

Speaker 4: 48:34

And I also want to kind of add to that too Maybe it's not you personally, maybe it's a relative or one of your close friends and you're really worried about them. Give us a call. I mean, at the very least we could take them out for a cup of coffee and you know, just make sure that they're aware you know, hey, you're, you're not alone, you're not going to be judged Like, if you just want to talk, we'll be there, or we have somebody that you know. We believe that would be a great fit for you to talk to, even if it's just as a friend.

Speaker 5: 49:06

Yes, and I would like to say one more thing. So, like two years ago, I was in a place where I felt so broken I was starting completely over. The life that I had built was gone, the life that I knew gone. And I'm here today talking to people. I'm here today like sharing awareness and telling them that there's hope out there. And let me tell you there is because you know I've had a full circle moment that the crisis center who was able to help me, I now get to help and you could be in a similar position. You know you don't have to do something so that you can help others. I'm not saying that, but, like I'm saying that you know you have the strength, you are strong and we got you.

Speaker 3: 49:55

I think it's powerful because some of the same things that you and I talk about, like, give it back to the veteran community, because they're the ones that gave me this platform.

Speaker 2: 50:03

Yeah.

Speaker 3: 50:03

You talk about it with NA and a lot too, it's like and the court system? Hey, I'll give it back to that place because they helped me get here. Even though this is a veteran podcast, you can hear the perspective from somebody else who I think veterans. We live on the extremes extreme stress, extreme deployment, extreme drinking, all that jazz.

Speaker 2: 50:25

But extreme divorce. I won't share those stories that would make a good show actually. Extreme divorce when I divorce is finally, as I'm coming back, that's right.

Speaker 4: 50:36

I hope now for marrying on the ID channel.

Speaker 2: 50:41

Right after extreme home makeovers.

Speaker 3: 50:44

But we're not alone. You know, we're not alone. We're not all that different, we're very similar in many ways. So hey, if you guys are out there in your struggle, and don't forget to reach out to lifesavers, or you can call 988-PRESS-1.

Speaker 2: 50:57

Again, we appreciate you guys coming up. Do you have any?

Speaker 4: 51:01

I don't other than happy new year. If you have a new year resolution, then congrats to you.

Speaker 5: 51:08

It's okay. It's okay. We don't have to be perfect, right.

Speaker 4: 51:12

I made my new year's resolution like two days after the new year and I was driving and I decided I'm going to write a book. I'm going to write a novel.

Speaker 3: 51:21

You're talking about it For real.

Speaker 4: 51:22

For real.

Speaker 5: 51:24

We're going to have our hoes explain it.

Speaker 4: 51:26

Yes, it is going to be about my journey at lifesavers and all of the things that I see and come across, and it's going to be very comical. Just a little sneak peek.

Speaker 3: 51:39

You heard it here first. Yes, charlie, mike is exclusive.

Speaker 4: 51:43

There was one day I just bought a brand new car and I get to the ER and there is this man, we will call him Bob. Bob was aggressively knocking on my door, on my trying to open my car door, and knocking on my window. And no, I'm not going to do my window, you're trying to get into my car already, absolutely not. And so he goes to the front of my car and this man goes balls to bumper on my new car.

Speaker 2: 52:14

Are you what? Yes, alrighty. Yes, did you? I mean what happened First. I was in shock.

Speaker 4: 52:29

I honked at him and then he just more aggressively went balls to bumper on my poor new car and then I started recording him and I have the police on the phone. I'm like there's a man that has his genitals on the hood of my car, Can you please come here? And they're like ma'am, just stay in your car. I'm like, well, I wasn't going to get out. And so I show them the video and they're like oh yeah, he's a serial flasher. I'm like I just got my car got assaulted by the serial flasher.

Speaker 3: 53:09

So many more questions yeah.

Speaker 4: 53:11

So that's just like a little part of what's going to be in this.

Speaker 3: 53:13

Toon in the next episode?

Speaker 4: 53:14

Yeah, so whenever it comes out, then I'll be, I'll be back, I'll even sign up for you guys.

Speaker 2: 53:21

Yeah, we want to hear it. Yeah, so you guys be careful if you're around Brandy's work.

Speaker 4: 53:27

There's a boss. I haven't seen him in about a year.

Speaker 2: 53:31

So hopefully he's locked up, yeah, or got some help. The serial flasher yeah, just so nonchalantly though.

Speaker 4: 53:39

Oh yeah, that's the serial flasher. I'm like, oh great, now he has a name, oh he has a name.

Speaker 2: 53:44

Yeah, he's got Facebook page. You ain't seen him.

Speaker 5: 53:45

Probably like, like where's the gas?

Speaker 4: 53:47

can man?

Speaker 2: 53:48

Oh yeah, that's. That's it Actually. I think he's in jail.

Speaker 4: 53:51

Yeah, he is.

Speaker 2: 53:52

Yeah, that's good. Yeah, well, we learned a lot today on this podcast. We learned about the serial flasher, yeah we learned about the compact act. We learned about some hoes yeah. There we go, you guys. Thank you again for coming on the show.

Speaker 5: 54:16

Thank you so much.

Speaker 2: 54:17

You guys be sure to follow my man, William, on all his social media platforms for his daily motivational videos. At mustache wisdom. You got something coming up. Oh, this will be out after. This will be out after.

Speaker 3: 54:28

But hey, if you're in the Paralign area, every second Wednesday I do a lunch and learn. So if you're, you can come check us out at the Paralign Chamber of Commerce.

Speaker 2: 54:37

Yeah, so, as always, be sure to check out Charlie Mike military apparel. Get you some swag and thank you for tuning in. And Charlie Mike.