Today, I salute U.S. Army Veteran Dennis Wagner. When Dennis lost his wife, depression set in. He said he would simply just not do anything, which, of course, impacted his quality of life. He simply wouldn’t leave his house, and his chronic pain increased. Everything changed when he started participating in group virtual reality (VR) sessions during recreation therapy at the Indianapolis VA alongside Veteran peers. Dennis said his first experience with VR was “unbelievable.” He quickly saw benefits from using immersive technology, both mentally and physically. “I can do more physical activities in a safe way,” he explained. “The pain level is very manageable when using VR.” Most importantly, it motivates and encourages Dennis, giving him a sense of purpose. Enjoy this new chapter of your life, Dennis, and THANK YOU for your service.
