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Vet-Traxx Project Inc

Back in November 2015, I was asked by a friend if her grandfather could borrow one of my snare drums, because he just h ad a stroke and one of the side effects of his stroke was blindness. His name is James Miller, he is an Army WWII disabled veteran, and of course I let him borrow one of my snares and snare stands. I heard that he began to cry when he received the snare, because playing drums makes him feel "complete". That really touched my heart, and that moment I knew what my mission was.

The mission of VTP is to provide veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, and other disabilities with a musical outlet in a recording studio environment by enabling them to utilize their musical talents as a voice of expression. It has been proven that music is an effective form of therapy; providing an outlet for emotions, notion of using song, sound frequencies and rhythm to treat physical ailments. Providing therapy through music can benefit our veterans in so many different ways:

1. Decreasing stress, anxiety, anti-social behavior
2. Connecting with other veterans who have similar experience
3. Using music as a way to express feelings/thoughts
4. Building up self-esteem

We have a team of studio musicians available to aid in the writing/recording process. We have created partnerships with top music industry vendor’s who will be providing musical instruments as well as equipment, so the veteran will not need to possess an instrument to be a client of VTP. Everything is provided for them to use at the recording studio. All of this for no charge to the veteran.

I would like to provide you with my testimonial and how VTP became commissioned:

I am a military retiree and disabled vet who suffers from various disorders and often not comfortable with discussing it with anyone. I have found that playing music allows me to escape from my thoughts/feelings and gives me a different voice. Music is definitely an emotional outlet and a means of therapy for me. I feel relaxed after playing music because all the emotion I am feeling is focused on the music and something positive is created. I have always wanted to do something for disabled veterans whether it is feeding homeless veterans, providing them clothing, or giving them money. My calling still wasn't clear, and I had a yearning to do something, it didn't take very long for that to become clear to me.

In January 2016, I attended the NAMM show and shared my idea with several friends in the music industry. Everyone I mentioned Vet-Traxx Project immediately asked what they could do to help out our disabled veterans. I was overwhelmed with joy and happiness. From that moment forward the ball was rolling and there was no stopping us! Failure is not a word in my vocabulary, and together with the support of friends, family, community support, and the music industry vendors, we will make a difference!!!

I believe that Vet-Traxx Project Inc. will help our disabled vets learn how to cope with their disabilities through musical expression.

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A study published in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine found that,

"Combat veterans are not only more likely to have suicidal ideation, often associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, but they are more likely to act on a suicidal plan. Especially since veterans may be less likely to seek help from a mental health professional, non-mental-health physicians are in a key position to screen for PTSD, depression, and suicidal ideation in these patients."

A comprehensive analysis, published in 2014, found that for PTSD: “Among male and female soldiers aged 18 years or older returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, rates range from 9% shortly after returning from deployment to 31% a year after deployment. A review of 29 studies that evaluated rates of PTSD in those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan found prevalence rates of adult men and women previously deployed ranging from 5% to 20% for those who do not seek treatment, and around 50% for those who do seek treatment. Vietnam veterans also report high lifetime rates of PTSD ranging from 10% to 31%. PTSD is the third most prevalent psychiatric diagnosis among veterans using the Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals.”PTSD and comorbid AUD", Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2014; 5: 25–36, Ralevski, et al.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that PTSD afflicts: Almost 31 percent of Vietnam veterans. As many as 10 percent of Gulf War (Desert Storm) veterans. 11 percent of veterans of the war in Afghanistan.