BTM190 – John and Cheryl Burns and Amy Alvarez – The Avalon Action Alliance

Behind The Mission

Show Summary

On today’s episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Amy Alvarez, Vice President of Marketing and Communications with the Avalon Action Alliance, and John and Cheryl Burns, a veteran family whose lives have been changed through support from Avalon Action Alliance partners. The Avalon Action Alliance is a network of treatment, service and support providers that takes a comprehensive approach to addressing Traumatic Brain Injury, Posttraumatic Stress, and Substance Use concerns.

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About Today’s Guests

Amy Alvarez is a community builder and storyteller who loves bringing people together for social impact. Throughout her career, she’s helped some of your favorite causes and social enterprises stand out with innovative marketing, business development and relationship building. Prior to Avalon, Amy served as the Vice President of Marketing & Communications for Make-A-Wish Georgia where she helped them successfully refresh their brand, build and grow their social media presence, and secure national media to elevate stories of wish families. She loves mission-driven organizations and finds purpose in trying to move people to take action, build bridges and influence change. She’s a believer in creating an environment that fosters diverse voices and perspectives.

​Amy graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Marketing with an emphasis in Sales and Customer Relationship Management. As a child, her love for travel was ignited through her father’s 22-year service in the Navy. Her favorite place to be stationed was Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

In her free time, you’ll catch her on the trails with her Frenchie, Charlie, exploring a new city or dancing in the aisles at the grocery store to some music.

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John Burns is an Army Combat Veteran who survived an IED attack while deployed to Baghdad, Iraq. A last minute decision as a leader to change seats assignments changed everything for him, making him the lone survivor in his vehicle and leaving him with debilitating injuries. His survivor’s guilt was gripping and began a 19-year journey of struggle. Lack of sleep, balance issues, severe PTS made it hard for John to exist. He turned to the VA who prescribed him a cocktail of medicines. Then came the pandemic…forced isolation and loneliness escalated John’s symptoms. He spent days in the dark, with very little interaction.

John’s wife Cheryl, desperate for answers and help, started researching places for him to get care. They found Avalon who connected them with the University of Florida Haley Brain Wellness Program. John’s class was one of the biggest cohorts to date. He reluctantly attended, but by the 3rd day, he knew things were going to be different. After 3 weeks of care, everything changed and he found hope again

Cheryl says she got her husband back. John said he got his life back. And he gained community, something he missed from his days serving. Today, John is thriving. Finally taking that Greek vacation he dreamed of. Finally being the grandpa he hoped he’d become. Finally being himself. A life renewed and hope restored

In John and Cheryl’s own words:

“We found Avalon Action Alliance when we needed it most. We had lost hope in the way John was being treated and didn’t know where else to go after years of searching for help. Everything changed when we were connected to the team at UF Health. We’re finally living the life we envisioned – full of love and hope once again. Avalon’s care is life-changing, and we’ll be forever grateful for the support we received from them.”

Links Mentioned in this Episode

Avalon Action Alliance Web Site

Alliance Partner Locations

PsychArmor Resource of the Week

PsychArmor Brain Health & Wellness Learning Series - Traumatic Brain Injury. In your work with the Veteran and military-connected community, you may work with a military service member or Veteran who has experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI). While a TBI diagnosis can pose a daunting challenge, there are a number of of both individual and community-based treatments to support warriors in their recovery. The goal of this series is to give you essential information on TBI and the tools and resources to make a difference in the lives of military members who have suffered a brain injury during service. You’ll gain a greater understanding of the statistics behind TBI, common symptoms, diagnostic techniques, and treatment therapies. Warriors can and do recover from the effects of brain injuries and—with your support—acquire new skills to overcome limitations and live fulfilling lives.

You can see find the resource here:

https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/WWP-BHW-TBI

Episode Partner:

Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities

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Theme Music

Our theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.

Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families. You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com