The Greenwell Foundation and the CSM Veterans Organization are holding three free screenings of the award-winning film “Riding My Way Back” – a story of a veteran, a horse, and hope.

The new award-winning, short documentary about the powerful healing of therapeutic riding for a veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury will be screened at three locations:

  • CSM La Plata campus on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 10:30am in the BI Building (8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata, MD 20646)
  • CSM Leonardtown campus on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 6pm in the auditorium of the A Building (22950 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650).
  • CSM Prince Frederick campus on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 6pm (115 J.W. Williams Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678)

All screenings are free to the public.

“Riding My Way Back” chronicles one soldier’s journey back from the brink of suicide.  In 2010, Staff Sergeant Aaron Heliker returned from multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). At his most desperate and isolated, on 42 medications and suicidal, Aaron is introduced to the unlikeliest of saviors:  a horse named Fred.  Through caring for Fred, Aaron begins the difficult process of reconnecting to the world around him and healing the invisible wounds of war that nearly defeated him.

Producers and directors, Oscar Nominee Robin Fryday, Peter Rosenbaum and Richie Goldman have launched an ambitious program; THE RIDING MY WAY BACK FILM PROJECT. Engaging PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International) centers nationwide the film will be screened at riding centers, universities, and mental health centers simultaneously during Veteran’s Week 2014.

While RIDING MY WAY BACK had its premiere at the GI Film Festival 2014 in May of this year, and won THE FOUNDERS’ CHOICE AWARD, the producers of the film are looking at VETERAN’S WEEK 2014 as their national launch, premiering the movie at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, DC, and at over 75 Equine Centers across the country. Learn more: www.ridingmywayback.com

The Greenwell Foundation offers several inclusive and accessible programs at Greenwell State Park in Hollywood, Maryland, including a Therapeutic Riding Program for individuals age seven and older with developmental, physical, or emotional challenges. Operation Warrior Refuge, an equine-assisted psychotherapy program for veterans who experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is also offered at Greenwell.

The CSM Veterans Organization supports CSM student veterans and their dependents associated with all branches of the uniformed military services. The group offers a variety of resources, support services and activities for veterans at CSM.