Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Campaign Info: 

Help Our Heroes is running this campaign to kick off an initiative to provide multiple Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treatment (HBOT) grants to heroes in need of treatment for mild to moderate TBI/PTSD. We are currently targeting approximately $1500 per grant to cover a full course of HBOT sessions for one individual. Please consider contributing so we can get this program off the ground and start getting those in need the treatment they deserve!

A Word From Our Founder

"Good day everyone!

My name is Blake Richardson; founder and president of Help Our Heroes (HOH). I am reaching out to everyone to talk a little bit about myself as it pertains to “why” we are getting ready to start up a new program.

I am a United States Marine Corps combat veteran and served two tours to Iraq during OEF/OIF. During my first tour overseas, we received indirect fire (IDF) from the insurgents and a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) hit right outside of our General Purpose (GP) tent that I was sleeping in. The percussion from the blast caused a mild/moderate concussion, which led to my traumatic brain injury (TBI). While overseas, I also had to perform gruesome tasks that no one should ever have to go through or witness.

Since I got out of the service in 2008, and up until around the end of 2020, I continued to deal with the side-effects. These side-effects consist of severe anxiety and depression, nightmares, dramatic mood swings, light sensitivity, headaches, ringing in the ears, fatigue, severe short-term memory, trouble concentrating/remembering, avoidance, and the list goes on. I was taught to be tough and to “embrace the suck.” I hid my disability from public view, which is something that you SHOULD NOT do once you are out of the service or leave the fire/police department. The medical facility that I was getting treatment from had me on so many different medications that did not work for me. I felt like there was little to no hope left and that I would have to deal with the symptoms for the rest of my life.

In late 2020, my life took a 180 degree turn and many of my symptoms were relieved thanks to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Let me repeat that, hyperbaric oxygen therapy! It is not only for treating scuba divers or burn victims, but patients diagnosed with mild to moderate TBI/PTSD as well. There are multiple studies out there now that show how HBOT works for most individuals that suffer from mild to moderate TBI/PTSD symptoms. I have provided a few peer-reviewed articles for you to read below. Since going through treatment, my symptoms have significantly improved. I am now able to think more clearly without all the noise and have less anxiety/depression. I am more active, with less mood swings, social avoidance is gone, less headaches, and my short-term memory is getting better.

If you follow Help Our Heroes on Facebook/Instagram, you might recall the first hero that we helped was a combat veteran-amputee with more severe TBI/PTSD symptoms. He had balance issues, which I did not have, and he confirmed that his balance had improved so much that he no longer needed a cane to walk!