Boca Raton non-profit helping veterans, military connect around the globe

A Boca Raton non-profit is helping veterans and active members of the military connect around the globe.

DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES.A BOCA RATON NON- PROFIT ISHELPING VETERANS AND MEMBERSOF THE MILITARY CONNECT AROUNDTHE GLOBE.

WPTV NEWS CHANNELFIVES SABIRAH RAYFORD SHOWSHOW YOGA CLASSES ARE HELPINGFIGHT ISOLATION CAUSED BY THECORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.<< "THE SAME WITH THE ACTIVEDUTY AND VETERANS THERE ISSUCH A STIGMA ABOUT SEEKINGOUT MENTAL HEATH CARE AND THATWAS WHAT IS WAS FOR ME."CAPTAIN BRIAN THORNSBERRYSERVED 5 YEARS IN THE ARMY ASA MEDICAL OFFICER.

HOWEVER, HEFACED HIS BIGGEST BATTLE HEREAT HOME.

"RIGHT AFTER I GOTOUT OF THE ARMY I WAS MISUSINGPRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND THENWHEN THOSE WEREN'T AVAILABLE ISTARTED USING HEROIN ANDALCOHOL TO SELF MEDICATE FORMY PTSD DIAGNOSIS." WINNINGTHIS BATTLE WOULD TAKE HELPFROM A COMMUNITY.

"DURING THTIME OF RECOVERY I WAS ABLE TOFIND CONNECTED WARRIORS ANDKIND OF MAKE THAT MIND, BODY,CONNECTION." THORNSBERRY ISNOW THE DIRECTOR OF 'CONNECTEDWARRIORS' A BOCA RATON NON-PROFIT THAT HELPS ACTIVESERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANSCONNECT AND DESTRESS USINGYOGA.

"WHEN I FIRST RETIREDFROM THE NAVY I WAS KIND OFLOST." COMMANDER KEN BINGHAM AFORMER NAVY FIGHTER PILOT SAYSPRACTICING YOGA ALONGSIDEPEOPLE WITH SIMILAREXPERIENCES HELPED HIM FEELLESS ALONE.

NOW AT72-YEARS-OLD HE'S ALSOTEACHING CLASSES.

"YOU HAVETHAT ONE HOUR OF PEACE ANDTHAT'S WHAT I REALLY ENJOYABOUT IT." THORNSBERRY SAYSNEXT MONTH THEY ARE OPENING AMENTAL HEALTH CLINIC.

"IT'SGOING TO BE AN OFFICE SPACEWITH ABOUT 12 DIFFERENTOFFICES ALL OF OUR CLINICIANSARE GOING TO BE VETERANSTHEMSELVES." HE SAYS VETERANSCAN WAIT UP TO 90 DAYS JUSTFOR AND INITIAL MENTAL HEALTHASSESSMENT.

HE'S HOPING THISNEW CLINIC WILL SAVE LIVES."IT'S NEEDED AS A SAFE SPACE.THAT IS THE SERVICE WE ARETRYING TO PROVIDE HERE, IT'SAN ALL IN ONE STOP SHOP."REPORTING IN BOCA RATON,SABIRAH RAYFORD, WPTV NEWSCHANNEL5