Cycling-Centric Healing from Military Sexual Trauma

Sara M. Bell, Women’s Initiative Director, Ride 2 Recovery

R2R Background

R2R Background

• Founded in 2008 through collaboration between John Wordin and the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Palo Alto, CA.

• Alternative therapy sought for PTSD and TBI• Four Programs

– Challenge Series: 7 week-long rides per year– Project HERO: 48 current sites– Honor Ride: 10 one-day rides per year – Special Events: 12 multi-day events per year

Women makeup 14.6% of the military according to current DoD figures.On R2R Challenge Events, women make up 27.6% of participants.

R2R’s Women’s Initiative

• Collaboration with DoD• Originated in 2013: pilot program in Texas• Multiday events focus on resiliency-building

through team work, education, and shared suffering

• Measurable outcomes using pre/post survey: Confidence, knowledge, support, attitude

• Exposed to R2R through adaptive sports coordinator on Post OR referred to R2R through a SARC.

• Links up with Project HERO on Post.

• PH Manager refers to Women’s Initiative.

• Participate in Women’s Event.

• Take part in Challenge Event.

What takes place?

Partners

• R2R succeeds at providing the environment for positive change to occur.

• Each partner provides an important element to the equation.

Collaboration with DoD from the very beginning.

Support from SAPRO and Senior LeadershipAssist in formulating pre/post surveysConceptualize future eventsArmy, USMC Chaplain presenceReferral System

Donna A. Gaffney, DNSc, FAAN is the Advisor for Education and Research at Project Rebirth, New York. As a clinician, Donna has long addressed trauma and loss in the lives of women and families: after the Challenger explosion, the Pan Am 103 crash, and Hurricane Katrina. She also worked with schools and communities after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Dotsie Bausch, an Olympian and silver medalist from the London 2012 Olympic Games, a 7-time U.S. National Champion and a 2x Pan American gold medal winner, is in her fifteenth year of racing. While Bausch has scored major victories on the bike, perhaps her greatest victory came from resurrecting her own life from the depths of severe eating disorders, which threatened to take her life over a decade ago after a promising modeling career in New York City.

The USO is dedicated to helping in the rehabilitation and reintegration of our troops as they and their families navigate the road to recovery.

The USO Mobile Canteen is present at most R2R events providing lunches, entertainment, and resources.

Planning Template, June 2 JUN

MONDAY3 JUNTUESDAY

4 JUNWEDNESDAY

5 JUNTHURSDAY

6 JUNFRIDAY

7:30-9:00amWakeup/BreakfastRide Brief @ 9:15

TRAVEL

Early start Climbing/Descending3mi climb/1k Ft repeats9:30-12:30pm

RIDE/LUNCHSkills Workshop and 1st Ride20-30 miles--Flat

Pine Flat Ride60 miles-3.5kft

Skills WorkshopStarbucks Ride40 miles--Flat

12:30pm-2:00pmShower/Freetime

2:00pm-4:00pmAfternoon Activity

“Honoring Your Health”Vega Sport Presentation--Dotsie

Relaxation and Self Compassion--Donna

Kings Canyon ExcursionMindfulness Exercise

4:00pm-5:30pmFreetime

TRAVEL

5:30pm-7:00pmDinner

Welcome Dinner Orientation-R2R StaffOpening Discussion--DonnaIntro/Q&A--Dotsie

7:30pm—Evening Activity

“The Things They Carried”, Finding Sanctuary--Donna

Project Rebirth: “Ling’s Story”--Donna

Closing Session—“What Will You Carry?”--Donna

Survey Results: March, 2014(Determined through Likert Scale, questionnaire taken post event)Scale: 1=strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree

“I am as healthy as anybody I know.” 2.5“How would you rate the current stress level in your work life?” 3.1“I don’t know where to receive mental health counseling/support.” 1.7“I would be seen as weak if I were to seek mental health counseling/support.” 2.9

“To what extent has the R2R Women’s Initiative helped you?”“Improve performance of day-to-day activities.” 4.0“I can now identify how my body responds to stress.” 4.2“The support of the R2R staff members was helpful to me.” 5.0“The guest speakers were interesting and informative.” 4.5“I would recommend this program to a peer.” 4.8

Why does this work?

• Currently in the midst of a 2 year study with University of Texas

• Renewed sense of family atmosphere• Change comes from physical exhaustion• Cycling treats the “whole person”—physically,

psychologically, socially, spiritually• Aspirational

Future Growth

Future Growth

• Our program will ALWAYS be dependent on what works

• Adaptable to needs/wants of survivors• Open to advice of clinicians and professionals • Service branch specific program• Male MST program, early 2015