Hidden Wounds- Impact Maker
Nicole’s family members and close friends who served our country faced challenges that many civilians cannot begin to fathom. I have seen firsthand how PTSD and war wreak havoc on families and their ability to thrive in every aspect. Nicole understands the struggle acutely and intimately. Rather than let dread about the dire state of accessible Veteran mental health resources consume her, she has dedicated her life to serving Veterans every day with her work with nonprofit organizations. Nicole helps raise funds to provide supportive services and programming high-quality affordable housing and overall empowerment for Veterans and their families.
As a filmmaker, Nicole is compelled and determined to further contribute to the effort by highlighting real solutions to combat PTSD so that our warriors can thrive once again. After producing The Journey Back to Normal (3 Best Documentary Awards, one Best Editing Award) many integrative therapies have emerged for Veterans and their families, and it awakened an urge in her to continue the journey to “save lives” through my storytelling in film.
The intent is to tell the raw story – the raw story of the “military experience” downrange, the dynamic while deployed, the pivotal moments when they return home, and ultimately how they navigate the CIVILIAN workplace, the community and most significantly, their home with their loved ones. THE RAW Story has many layers AND we intend to delve and dig deep during intense interviews as they share how they navigate the rough terrain of civilian life after multiple deployments, and how they maintain emotional healthy relationships within their community of fellow Veterans as well as their “tribe.”
Further, they will tell the raw story of Veteran suicide and talk to surviving family members, and how they are coping, and what they’ve done to honor their family members’ memory.
Another element of this documentary will highlight grassroots organizations, Veteran owned non-profit organization, Hidden Wounds (https://hiddenwounds.org/) Project Josiah (https://projectjosiah.org/). The Marine Reconnaissance Foundation, https://reconfoundation.org Celebrate Freedom Foundation, gocff.org, Project Refit, projectrefit.us, Heroic Gardens, heroicgardens.org The Lazy Lab Hunting Club lazylabhc.org Awareness 22, https://awareness22.com/The Barbara Giordano Foundation.giordanofoundation.org and Freedom Sings - https://www.freedomsingsusa.org.