Buster Miscusi

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

“Operation Mend provided more than I could have imagined. It is a challenge, but one worth undertaking, and all of the providers and staff are there to help every step of the way. The providers were engaging, knowledgeable and open to sharing their time and talents to help me and my wife grow. Operation Mend helped to show me that, not only is healing and growing possible, it is attainable and actionable. I use skills I learned at Operation Mend daily.”

Buster was inspired to join the military by the events of 9/11. At the time of the attacks, he was 9 years old and going to school on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He felt called to do whatever he could to protect his family and country. Ten years later, in 2011, he was deployed as a U.S. Marine lance corporal to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2013, as part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, he was deployed to Japan.

Medically retired from the military as a sergeant, Buster was referred to Operation Mend by his nurse case manager from the Semper Fi & America’s Fund. He applied to the program for two primary reasons. First, he believed that any opportunity to attempt to view living with a traumatic brain injury and the rest of his conditions from a new perspective is worth exploring. “Healing is a creative endeavor, and creativity is born of exploration. Operation Mend seemed like a safe place to explore the limits of growth and healing,” he says. Second, he deeply appreciated the opportunity for his spouse to accompany him on the healing journey and be looped in with the care providers. “Growth, healing and change on the individual level are inherently good, but I wanted to ensure that my wife was able to be present for the growth, so we could grow together rather than apart.”

Today, Buster continues to grow as an individual and as a member of his family and his community. “I continue to go to therapy, medical appointments and engage in the healing activities Operation Mend helped teach me, such as mindfulness, exercise and engaging with hobbies. I am engaged and present with my family daily. I volunteer in the local community, helping different veteran service organizations. I will be returning to school to finish my bachelor’s degree in philosophy. My hope is to work in the mental health field with veterans, either as a social worker or a psychologist.”

Buster’s story epitomizes not just growth, healing and the flourishing of possibility, but also resilience and strength.