Steven Morin

Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army (Ret.)

"Op Mend educates me and teaches me how to use the tools that work for me. There is nothing cookie cutter about it."

Tennessee resident Steve Morin was deployed to Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom) multiple times during his five years of service in the U.S. Army. Inspired to join the military after 9/11, which occurred while he was a senior in high school, Steve enlisted after graduation and earned the rank of staff sergeant by his time of discharge.

Steve, who heard about UCLA Health Operation Mend from his VA physiatrist, credits the program for saving his life. Operation Mend has helped this warrior get the care the VA doesn’t provide.

Steve suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) and had unmet surgical needs prior to receiving care for all three areas through Operation Mend. “It’s care that’s designed for me and my needs,” he says. “Op Mend educates me and teaches me how to use the tools that work for me. There is nothing cookie cutter about it.”

Grateful to have experienced the benefits of Operation Mend, Steve explains that “Today, I’m in a place I never saw coming. I’m learning and living my life using the tools that Op Mend gave me.”

“Equally important,” he says, “Op Mend gave me a voice to help other veterans take control of their lives again.”