Paying it Forward
Daniel Wade was 2 months shy of returning home from deployment, (where his family was months away from moving to Monterey, California for Daniel to attend Naval Post Graduate School) when he had a massive heart attack aboard his ship (USS Jason Dunham). He was reported as saying "I don't feel so good" while at the gym before he collapsed in his room. The crew worked very hard to get him ashore. Unfortunately, it took three and a half hours to get him to the nearest hospital. He was a runner, he had no history of health concerns - there was no reason for anyone to ever expect this.
After Daniel's death, his wife Yasin saw a friend post pictures on Facebook about Holbrook Farms Retreat. She had never heard of Holbrook and her friend told her it was a great place to renew yourself and relax. Yasin thought that sounded like the perfect mom break. She had an amazing experience her first time at Holbrook Farms. "I arrived exhausted and I left feeling renewed. I loved that it was a smaller group because it really gave the opportunity to have great conversations. There were so many extra touches to make you feel special. My favorite thing was to go out on the paddleboard each morning and to sit and be and just listen to the waves. It was my quiet space, so peaceful. There's something healing about being on the lake."
This May, Yasin will be returning for our second Alumni Retreat - a time to help give back and prepare for the 20 new Survivors coming in June and July for Season 6 Survivors of Heroes retreats. "I had such a great time on my retreat, I want to help give others that chance, to pay it forward."
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