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PARK CITY -- Dozens of veterans are up in Park City for a week-long retreat, and they all have a few things in common. They're all women, and they all suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
It's called Project Odyssey. Women back from war are invited to an outdoor retreat to meet others who are also dealing with the memories of war and dealing P.T.S.D.
It can be intense for the women, but it's also a lot of fun!
These women are in Park City to learn how to breath again and relax.
Veteran Erika Vandenberg said, "In Iraq and Afghanistan you were on alert all the time. You didn't know who was your friend or enemy, so you were always on alert.
These women can't sleep, they're irritable, and they've shut people out.
"Anxiety around people, being in crowd, I still have issues with that," Vandenberg said.
They're here with Project Odyssey, funded by Wounded Warrior Project -- a non-profit organization, lead by other veterans.
This is the second all-female retreat.
"It's known males go to war, males come home, but what about the females? Sometimes they get forgotten about," Schiliro said.
The women participate in team-building exercises, learning how to trust and cope with civilian life again, now that they are out of the military.
"Being in the Marine Corp. for six years does a lot to you," said veteran Savera Rodriquez. "You have to hide a lot of emotions and feelings."
She served nearly four years in Iraq. She said the retreat is helping her.
"You get together and talk and cry, and nobody's going to say anything," she said. "You know you're not alone."
This retreat is a big step for Rodriquez and the other women who all want the lives they had before they left for war.
The women come from all over the country. All of them have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, some both, and some on multiple tours.
E-mail: abutterfield@ksl.com
