JR Nominated for Recovery & Well Being Award

Yesterday after finishing his last final of the semester, JR and I, accompanied by my parents, attended "The Eleventh Annual Academy Awards Banquet," hosted by Kern County Mental Health and NAMI Kern County. Held in the conference room of Hodel's Restaurant, it was a lovely event, "Celebrating a New Decade of Hope and Recovery." Nominations and awards were presented in the following categories: The Above and Beyond Award (both individual and teamcategories), Mental Health Professional of the Year Award, Recovery and Well-Being Award, and The Incredible Youth Award. The stories of each nominee were shared and they received certificates. While JR did not win in his category, it was truly a pleasure to be nominated.

JR was nominated by Russ Sempell, President of NAMI Kern County. He wrote the following nomination for JR:

J.R. Browning is being nominated for the Recovery & Well Being Award for his outstanding commitment and perseverance to his recovery and his newly married bride. Nicole introduced him to NAMI Kern County's FRONT LINE Support Groups just over 1 year ago!

J.R. served our Country in Iraq for the United States Army for two tours of duty. He survived more than 20 explosions from explosive devices, rocket propelled grenades and roadside bombs. Since he has returned home, he now is recovering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) like 30% of his peers who found themselves in combat.

J.R. still has chronic headaches, sleep issues, anxiety & depression but with the support of his wife and FRONT LINE, J.R. has returned to Bakersfield College where he has founded a new Vet Club on campus. He also has become a mentor Peer to Peer Class Instructor and plans on taking NAMI Connection Support Group Facilitator Training. J.R. has done his advocasy work for Vets with PTSD & TBI by making public presentations for NAMI's FRONT LINE Conferences and has been interviewed recently on KGET's Chanel 17 morning new show.

NAMI Kern County is pleased to have this opportunity to say, "Thank You J.R. Browning for putting your life on line for ours and now back here on our NAMI Kern County's FRONT LINE to support others."

Certificate presented to J.R. for his nomination