I’ve always loved traveling. As a matter of a fact traveling was one of the things I loved about serving in the military. I couldn’t believe the places I got sent to train and work throughout the years. It was exciting to explore new places, meet new friends, and be a part of something bigger … More America’s National Parks Help Heal My CPTSD (2015)
Wounded Warrior Project got me out of the house last year for a little fall festivities in Maine. It helped open my mind back up to the simplicity of life. Getting out in the community and taking in the fresh air is good for us. Although I was struggling with social anxiety a lot more … More Apple Picking at Ricker Hill Orchards in Maine
Camaraderie is the spirit of friendship and community in a group, like the camaraderie of soldiers at war who keep each other upbeat despite the difficulty of their circumstances. Wounded Warrior Project has been a godsend in my life. It started with the first program I attended about a year ago and has only continued to get better. … More Wounded Warrior Project Helps Veterans Build Camaraderie (2015)
Dear Airline Carriers, Last night I learned that one of my fellow veterans was denied access to board a plane in Los Angeles, California because he couldn’t produce paperwork for his service dog. First of all, there is no official paperwork. Secondly, by federal law you are not supposed to ask us for paperwork, let … More An Open Letter to All Airlines Regarding Service Dogs
Writing is therapeutic. Since day one of the journey to heal Post Traumatic Stress, writing has been recommended as a way to process thoughts. Throughout the years journals have been provided by the various organizations who help victims of sexual assault because it helps. At first it was suggested you write regardless of whether it … More The Use of Imagery in Writing
Thanks to the Wounded Warrior Project, we got the opportunity to attend the Healthy Cooking Bootcamp at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. It was an amazing experience and I am proud of myself for working through my fears and attending this program. I had never really been a cook. It … More The Healthy Cooking Bootcamp for Veterans at the Culinary Institute of America
So I noticed now that I am trying to take good care of myself that even the smallest of things is a difficult task to manage when you have PTSD. I sit here wondering how this could have happened and why it happened to me. I wish every day that I didn’t have PTSD and … More Starting Over: The Daily Struggles of Accepting & Living with PTSD
I learned about equine therapy at a veteran retreat in Bluemont, Virginia. I immediately experienced a lot of anxiety around the large animals but as we worked more with the horses, I realized that I could work through that anxiety in many ways. As a result of the interest that had been sparked, I decided … More Equine Therapy for Veterans: A Gentle Respect
OFFICER X IS INVOLVED IN OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING (2014): EXAMPLE OF E-MAIL SENT TO LOCAL MEDIA AFTER INCIDENT: RESPONSE FROM THE REPORTER AT THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD: LETTER TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO INVESTIGATES ALL OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTINGS (2014): April 11, 2014 To Whom It May Concern (Attorney General): My name is Jennifer Norris and … More Complaint to Maine Attorney General: Overview of Police Officer’s Disturbing History Prior to Officer Involved Shooting of A Suicidal Woman With Mental Illness (2014)
The Uncounted Every day, 22 veterans commit suicide. That number is sadly familiar. It has become a symbol of the cost of war that extends beyond the battlefield. But no one is tracking war’s impact on another group: military spouses, siblings and parents. Their suicides go uncounted. The dozens of military family members I interviewed over the … More The Uncounted (CNN Special on Caregiver & Family Suicide)
Jennifer and Lee 