PHWFF at the Long Beach VA Healthcare System,
Long Beach, CA
June 2008
In Long Beach, we are working with our third group of veterans. This is a mixed group of men and women with both physical and psychiatric disabilities. They really want to learn how to fly fish. All are learning to cast, two have enrolled in our club’s rod building class, some have taken an entomology class, and all plan to take our club’s public fly tying class. This group of patients is being encouraged to re-socialize by getting involved in public activities, as opposed to having special classed just for disabled veterans. The one thing we have learned is that we have to be flexible, that there is no one way to run a PHW program. This is a re-socialization goal is a good example. Each group seems to bring its unique set of circumstances.
Wednesday, September 17 is the last casting class, and then we will take this group of six veterans fishing on the San Gabriel River on the 24th. One of our club members works for the Forest Service. He is able to unlock the gate to provide us access to areas that are off limits to other motorized vehicles. We have eight miles of trout to ourselves.
I gave a talk yesterday to about 80 representatives of various organizations that volunteer in support of veterans at the VA. PHW was very well received and many new contacts were made. This led to requests to speak to other groups, such as the Program Manager for the Veterans Transition Center for OIF/OEF (Iraq & Afghanistan). I was also asked about working with a group of visually impaired veterans, which will provide a new set of challenges for us.
Long Beach Casting Club recently had a Open House to celebrate the completion of the reconstruction of our clubhouse that was severely damaged by fire in December. The Chief of Voluntary Services, the Chief of Psychology, the Recreational Therapist of the Day Treatment Center and a Life Manager of the Long Beach VA, all came to the Open House to present a plaque. It reads “With sincere thanks and appreciation, the VA Long Beach Healthcare System wishes to recognize Long Beach Casting Club for its outstanding support and contribution to our mission. Your kindness, generosity and concern for our nation’s heroes is without question.” They gave me an award which reads “Thank you for your hard work and enormous dedication to Healing Waters Project in support of our nation’s heroes.” And, the same week I was given an “Award of Excellence” from the Southwest Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers for our work with PHW. I have been blessed with generous and talented volunteers, several financial supporters, and the support and enthusiasm of various administrators at the VA, all of whom have made this possible.
Carole Katz
National Trustee
Southwest Regional Coordinator
Program Lead, PHW @ Long Beach VAMC
