Jennifer Hopsicker
RN
I was born in Utica New York but grew up in Old Forge NY in the Adirondacks. I originally went to college as a music theory/harpsichord major but was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. This changed the path of my life and I decided to become a nurse and help people like I have been helped the past 40 years of having this disease.
I have been a nurse for 27 years doing a little bit of everything including 12 years of oncology. Now at age 55, I changed paths again and got certified in 6 different life coaching courses including Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Soul Purpose and Spiritual Life Purpose. Now I am giving back to the Warriors who have given so much of their lives for us.
I have two cats, enjoy reading, learning, kayaking and fishing. My Dad was in the Army, my Uncle in Vietnam, my Grandfather in WWII and an ex husband in the Air Force.
I connect to Warriors healing Warriors first as a nurse, second from finding out recently that I have PTSD from a lifetime of abuse and trauma from a family member that I didn’t know was abuse-to me it was just normal.
My Why:
My Why is wanting to pay it forward for the Warriors who have risked their lives, lost their lives and living with trauma from their service. I feel the Warriors sometimes get forgotten when they come home and are left with PTSD, traumas and addictions that no one seems to talk about or want to help in a way that works. I think this is a problem.
My Why is having a brother who is an addict (not military) but got the help he needed and is now several years sober and a sponsor for other addicts.
My Why is receiving the love and support from the Warriors and the Staff of Warrior’s Heart and finding this place has helped me more than I ever thought it would.
I love what Warrior’s Heart stands for, that it is a holistic approach that allows for more than just detox. There is yoga, meditation, art therapy, wood shop as well as traditional therapy. The staff eats meals with the Warriors for a feeling of home. They are all welcomed home when they arrive, a feeling I get every time I step into the building.
Warrior’s Heart is a beautiful well thought out program nestled in beautiful country that treats the Warriors with respect, kindness and structure needed to change their lives forever. My hope is that more of these places come to fruition as the benefits to these Warriors are priceless.
