Linette Davis was one of the first female veterans to call the Aspire Center home. The residential treatment center for veterans opened in Old Town in February, and now houses 12 men and 5 women. The center is operated by the VA San Diego Healthcare System.
Davis served as a Navy corpsman, and was deployed to Iraq twice. She has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
“I’ve been out two years, and I really couldn’t connect with society for a little while. I kind of felt lost and so when I got here I reconnected that the VA cares, society cares, and this is evidence of that,” Davis said.
Davis said before coming to the Aspire Center, the world seemed helpless, dark and negative. She said her feelings were affecting her relationships with her son and daughter.
Davis said she immediately felt welcome at the center. She wears an eagle pendant around her neck, along with a navy blue dog tag.
“Basically what I try to do now is soar above the problem, instead of letting those conquer me,” Davis said.
Deborah Dominick is the director of the Aspire Center. She said the average stay ranges from two to four months, and Davis’ growth has been remarkable.
“She’s incorporated the tools that she’s learned, and is able to embrace them and help them lead her forward,” Dominick said.
Davis said the Aspire Center has helped her to talk about things she couldn’t talk about before, and that has helped diminish her nightmares and mood swings. This has put her in a better position to find a job and connect with her family.
“I’ve been able to let go of the toxic thoughts and emotions that had me feeling hopeless. Aspire has brought back my hope,” Davis said.
Davis said she hopes the Aspire Center gets national attention, and sparks a revolution in upgrading care for America’s veterans.
